BOWLING’S ROOTS

The roots of American tenpin bowling can be traced to several bowling sports, primarily those of European origin. The basic principle of bowling — that is, rolling a ball toward a target — can be found in records of antiquity. American bowling’s closest relatives, however, are bowling sports played between the 1600s and 1900s in many parts of Europe. French collector Lin Kessler was essential to documenting the evolution of modern bowling. Centuries-old pins and balls from his collection illustrate the transformation of bowling from a rudimentary outdoor sport to one played in massive, state-of-the-art centers.