Mass of a Bowling Ball

The exact origin of bowling is uncertain. It may have been developed by the ancient Egyptians (according to anthropologist Sir Flinders Petrie); it may have been developed in Germany (according to historian William Pehle). Either way, it is known that it was around in England during the reign of Edward III. Edward outlawed bowling in order to keep his troops focused on archery and sword fighting.

This game was passed on down through the ages. Eventually it was brought to America. The earliest mention of bowling in any American writing is that of Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving. The first permanent bowling was in New York, and was a form of lawn bowling. We New Yorkers now refer to this location as "Bowling Green". At this time ball weights (and masses) varied from region to region. That is until Joe Thum spawned the American Bowling Congress. The ABC set standards and organized tournaments. This association later developed into the Pro Bowlers Association.

The ball itself evolved. The balls had been made out of wood until the early 1900s then the Brunswick Company came along and made a ball out of a substance called "Evertrue", which promoted a strange "rubber-like" quality. The balls continued to evolve and Brunswick is still a large bowling ball manufacturer.

Today bowling is a sport or game enjoyed by anyone who has what it takes to get out to the lanes and throw a large piece of a "rubber-like" substance at 10 pins. Bowling is a strange game, with an even stranger history.

The standard weight to mass conversions are as follows:

Candlepin:
 2 lb = 0.91 kg
 3 lb = 1.36 kg
 4 lb = 1.81 kg
 5 lb = 2.27 kg
 6 lb = 2.72 kg

Duckpin and 5 pin:
 2 lb = 0.91 kg
 3 lb = 1.36 kg
 4 lb = 1.81 kg
 5 lb = 2.27 kg
 6 lb = 2.72 kg
 7 lb = 3.18 kg
 8 lb = 3.63 kg
 9 lb = 4.08 kg
10 lb = 4.54 kg
12 lb = 5.44 kg

10 pin:
 6 lb = 2.72 kg
 7 lb = 3.18 kg
 8 lb = 3.63 kg
 9 lb = 4.08 kg
10 lb = 4.54 kg
12 lb = 5.44 kg
14 lb = 6.35 kg
16 lb = 7.26 kg

Zachary Campbell -- 2002