History of the Brunswick Bowling Ball

Bowling is among the most popular recreational activities in America, with an estimated 65 million people visiting an alley every year. The game has a history that dates to the era of the ancient Egyptians. But bowling enjoyed an unprecedented explosion in the late 19th century and early 20th century in America. At the center of the sport's growth was the Brunswick company, whose promotion and innovation of the game helped propel it to where it is today.

  1. J.M. Brunswick

    • John Moses Brunswick was born in Switzerland in 1819 and became an entrepreneur at a young age. When he was 15, Brunswick immigrated to America and took various jobs before marrying and moving to Cincinnati. By the end of 1845, Brunswick had manufactured its first billiards table. Within three years, the newly renamed Brunswick Corp. was enjoying great success and had expanded into several Midwestern and Southern cities. He eventually named his son-in-law Moses Bensinger as vice president after his numerous contributions to the company.

    Moses Bensinger

    • In the 1880s, bowling was taking off and more taverns were installing lanes. Bensinger saw an opportunity, and steered the company into manufacturing bowling pins and bowling balls. By 1890, Bensinger took over as president of the company, and bowling would become its bread and butter. He would be instrumental in promoting the game by founding the first American Bowling Congress in 1895 and helping to organize the first significant bowling tournament in 1902.

    Early Bowling Balls

    • Bowling has been traced back to the Egyptians, who rolled stones. But when the game was introduced in the United States, most balls were made of wood. In 1905, Brunswick introduced the Evertrue--the first ball made from rubber. Brunswick took that innovation a step further in 1909 by making balls from their special rubber compound called Mineralite. The balls were sent around the country on a tour of YMCA's as part of a marketing campaign to increase the sport's popularity.

    Later Advancements

    • Hard rubber balls dominated the market until 1959 when polyester balls were developed. The new material allowed players a greater ability to hook the ball on most lane surfaces. Many of the advancements that followed were based on changes in the surfaces and finishes of most lanes. As urethane-based finishes grew in popularity, so did urethane balls. Significant changes were made in bowling ball cores, with new shapes and materials created to modify the density of the ball. The innovation of combination cores has helped increase the performance of balls as well.

    Today's Brunswick Ball

    • Computers have become an integral part of the manufacturing process. With innovations such as asymmetrical cores and hybrid cover stocks, bowling balls perform better than they ever with a ball for every type of game and skill level. Changes in bowling ball development have also increased aesthetic choices. Balls have different cover-stock designs and visual themes that give players the opportunity to show off their personality as well as their game.