In the 19th century, billiards became highly popular across Europe and the United States. However, one major obstacle to the game’s widespread popularity was the cost of the balls. This was because billiard balls were originally made from ivory, which made them extremely expensive.
In 1863, due to the high cost and shortage of ivory, a $10,000 prize was established by Michael Phelan. Michael Phelan was an Irish-born billiards player, manufacturer and owner of billiard parlors.
The alternative material had to match all the properties and qualities of ivory—meaning it had to be hard and heavy, resistant to moisture and impact, smooth, and slightly elastic. The prize was awarded to American inventor John Wesley Hyatt.
The prize was eventually awarded to American inventor John Wesley Hyatt, who, in 1869, produced the first affordable billiard balls using a new material he invented: celluloid. These celluloid balls successfully replicated all the characteristics of traditional ivory balls.
Since the invention of billiards, various materials have been used to make the balls. However, ivory—specifically from female elephants—was originally considered the most ideal and luxurious material. Even today, ivory balls are highly expensive.
The manufacturing of ivory billiard balls led to the mass killing of female elephants. Considering that only 4–5 balls could be made from a single tusk, producing one full set of billiard balls meant killing two adult female elephants. At that time, cues (billiard sticks) were also made from ivory. The demand for billiard balls and cues threatened the survival of the elephant population.
With Hyatt’s invention, cues began to be made from strong, durable hardwoods instead. It’s worth noting that in earlier times, not only elephant ivory but also the teeth and bones of hippos, walruses, wild boars, and whales were used to make billiard balls and cues.
In the game of billiards, there are pink, black, red, brown, green, and yellow balls. The black ball is worth 7 points; the brown, yellow, and green balls are worth 3 points; the pink ball is worth 5 points; and red balls are worth 1 point. These colored balls are used solely for scoring. When potted, they are returned to the table, and the player’s score increases.
There is only one of each colored ball (brown, pink, yellow, green, and black), but five red balls. At the end of the game, the player with the highest score is declared the winner.