Bowling began approximately 5,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt as a game played outdoors
meant to encourage religious observance. It showed up in Germany around 300 AD and in
England around 1200 AD. But it enjoyed enormous popularity in America beginning in the
1820s and cresting to 400 bowling alleys primarily located in NYC by 1895. Many cities banned
bowling at this time because it was associated with gambling. But by 1939, there were 4,200
bowling centers in the US usually located indoors in basements where they were always to be
found together with a saloon. In 1952, automatic pinsetters are invented and bowling continues
to expand in the US with a current playing base of over 70 million recreational bowlers..
Bowling began approximately 5,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt as a ga.pdf
1. Bowling began approximately 5,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt as a game played outdoors
meant to encourage religious observance. It showed up in Germany around 300 AD and in
England around 1200 AD. But it enjoyed enormous popularity in America beginning in the
1820s and cresting to 400 bowling alleys primarily located in NYC by 1895. Many cities banned
bowling at this time because it was associated with gambling. But by 1939, there were 4,200
bowling centers in the US usually located indoors in basements where they were always to be
found together with a saloon. In 1952, automatic pinsetters are invented and bowling continues
to expand in the US with a current playing base of over 70 million recreational bowlers.
