While it is possible that bowling style games existed in ancient civilisations around the world, we likely owe the modern game of bowling to the land of Germany.
Kegels were used much like batons for protection or for sport. They would place them at the end of an alley and roll a stone, attempting to knock them down.
It was believed that by knocking down the kegel, their sins would be forgiven.
Other lawn games such as bocce and petanque may also be precursors to bowling.
American literature’s first mention of ninepins is in Washington Irving’s Rip Van Winkle.
Bowling, like many sports, was fodder for gambling and often came under scrutiny. In 1841 Connecticut passed a law prohibiting ninepin bowling alleys. To circumvent this, the alleys added one pin to the line-up. Very little about the game has changed since.
