This brief promo film from the 1950s shows duckpin bowling, a form of “small pin bowling”. Another well known version is “candlepin bowling”. These types of bowling do not use a heavy ball, and throwing the ball does not involve a twist of the wrist. It also does not place any stress on the fingers, making it ideal for players of all ages and types.
This film likely was made to promote the automatic duckpin setter which is shown in the film. It was designed and patented by engineer Ken Sherman. Sherman’s refusal to sell the manufacturing rights to Brunswick, the king of the bowling industry, hurt duckpin sales. In 1963, fewer than 500 duckpin lanes were in business, and that number has shrunk to fewer than 50 today.
Duckpin balls are 4 3⁄4 in to 5 in in diameter, weigh about 3 ½ pounds, and lack finger holes. They are thus significantly smaller than those used in ten-pin bowling but are slightly larger and heavier than those used in candlepin bowling.
Duckpins, though arranged in a triangle identical to that used in ten-pin bowling, are shorter, slightly thinner, and lighter than their ten-pin equivalents, which makes it more difficult for the smaller ball to achieve a strike. For this reason, similar to candlepin bowling, the bowler is allowed three rolls per frame.
Candlepin bowling is a variation of bowling that is played primarily in the Canadian Maritime provinces and the New England region of the United States. It is played with a handheld-sized ball and tall, narrow pins that resemble candles.
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