history.brunswickbilliards.comThe History of Brunswick

1845-1890 1891-1929 1930-1950 1951-1969 1970-1990 1991-Present Visit Brunswick Billiards Visit the Brunswick Library 1845-1890 From a Workshop in Cincinnati to the Global Stage Close From a Workshop in Cincinnati to the Global Stage 1845-1890 0 0 1 108 619 Tenthwave Digital LLC 5 1 726 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE 0 0 1 108 619 Tenthwave Digital LLC 5 1 726 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE At the young age of just 14, John Moses Brunswick emigrated from Switzerland to make a new life in the U.S. What began as humble ambition, blossomed into a business that would go on to forever change the course of recreation and even home design. After moving to Cincinnati, Brunswick was exposed to an exquisite billiards table from esteemed London manufacturer, John Thurston. In 1845, the J.M. Brunswick Manufacturing Company, which was mainly in the business of carriage making, produced its first of many billiards tables. Brunswick opened an office in Chicago in 1848 as the business grew and gained popularity. In 1850, Abraham Lincoln purchased a table and became one of the many historic figures to own a Brunswick. 1891-1929 Boom Times Close Boom Times 1891-1929 0 0 1 111 638 Tenthwave Digital LLC 5 1 748 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE During the time of the Industrial Revolution, Brunswick grew at an impressive rate. The Company began to expand manufacturing throughout the United States and opened showrooms as far and wide as Paris, Mexico City and Buenos Aires. This was a time of capital expansion. Brunswick joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1925, and remains as only a handful of companies that have continued with the same name on the Exchange ever since. The boom era was a time for expanding Brunswick billiards tables and growing into new complementary businesses such as phonographs, records and even tires and toilet seats. Through it all, Brunswick saw this as an era for growing the appeal for the game of pool and building legions of devoted fans to the sport. 1930-1950 Bold Moves Close Bold Moves 1930-1950 0 0 1 135 773 Tenthwave Digital LLC 6 1 907 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE This time period saw Prohibition, The Great Depression and World War II – events that would challenge any business in any era. Bob Bensinger, son of Benjamin, takes the helm of Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company. His leadership and optimism helped the company weather the storm and innovate during a difficult time in history. The company actively recruited “the bright young men” to lead them into the future. As the demand for Brunswick’s expansive front and back bars diminished, the company entered the soda fountain and refrigerator business as a compliment to its core billiards lines. When war broke out in Europe, Brunswick played a key role by producing defense equipment to aid the war effort. Brunswick also supported the troops by installing more than 13,000 billiards tables and 3,000 bowling lanes at military bases, a success that would renew company strength and guide it into the future. 1951-1969 Creating an American Pastime Close Creating an American Pastime 1951-1969 0 0 1 70 400 Tenthwave Digital LLC 3 1 469 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE In the 1950s and 1960s, Brunswick took the game of billiards to new pool halls and homes of the American suburbs. They recognized the importance of setting standards for competition and creating structure and rules to govern the game. Billiards continues to be a popular pastime across the country and globe; the game doesn’t care about your age or background, it just wants you to enjoy competition, and Brunswick set the standards to create a great American pastime. 1970-1990 Sharpening the Focus Close Sharpening the Focus 1970-1990 0 0 1 144 823 Tenthwave Digital LLC 6 1 966 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE Brunswick saw recreational habits evolve in the 1970s and 1980s. Air Hockey was created by Brunswick in 1972, opening a new category in leisure sport. By 1976, the WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiards Alliance) was founded, sparking a billiards comeback and giving rise to leading names in the game today, such as Ewa Mataya Laurance. K. Brooks Abernathy was appointed Chairman and CEO of Brunswick Corporation, and continued to invest in its growth. Brunswick topped $1 billion in sales for the first time in 1977. Jack Reichert then took the reins of the Company in 1982, steering Brunswick to become the high-quality leader in each of its business categories. The popular arcade amusement Pac-Man was released in 1980, marking the digitalization of gaming, a potential threat to traditional game room staples such as billiards. Brunswick moved forward with a steady strategy that included new products and the support of amateur and professional competitions. 1991-Present Bringing Families Together Close Bringing Families Together 1991-Present 0 0 1 153 876 Tenthwave Digital LLC 7 2 1027 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE From the 1990s to present, Brunswick continues as the leading brand in billiards. The Company has focused on creating game room products that fit the recreational and design trends of the day. Working closely with furniture design leaders from Europe, High Point, North Carolina, and California, Brunswick is known as the brand that keeps pace with prevailing tastes around the world. All the while, Brunswick advances the product design and integrity that professional and amateur players have come to expect and rely upon. Moving into the future, Brunswick has supported the growth of the WPBA (Women’s Professional Billiards Association) and its televised tournaments on ESPN. The Company also has released innovative new products, such as the Manhattan in the 2000s, and, recently, new high-performance stressed wood finishes that produce exciting new designs. What has made the Brunswick reputation is the Company’s ability to evolve as games have evolved to deliver products that bring families and generations together. And here's to the future... Thank you for making Brunswick Billiards the top name in recreation for over 170 years. We're eager to continue bringing you flawless craftsmanship and unparalleled innovation far into the future. × Video Title Close Brunswick Billiards Brunswick Library Twitter Facebook Pinterest 1845-1890 From a Workshop in Cincinnati to the Global Stage 0 0 1 108 619 Tenthwave Digital LLC 5 1 726 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE 0 0 1 108 619 Tenthwave Digital LLC 5 1 726 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE At the young age of just 14, John Moses Brunswick emigrated from Switzerland to make a new life in the U.S. What began as humble ambition, blossomed into a business that would go on to forever change the course of recreation and even home design. After moving to Cincinnati, Brunswick was exposed to an exquisite billiards table from esteemed London manufacturer, John Thurston. In 1845, the J.M. Brunswick Manufacturing Company, which was mainly in the business of carriage making, produced its first of many billiards tables. Brunswick opened an office in Chicago in 1848 as the business grew and gained popularity. In 1850, Abraham Lincoln purchased a table and became one of the many historic figures to own a Brunswick. 1891-1929 Boom Times 0 0 1 111 638 Tenthwave Digital LLC 5 1 748 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE During the time of the Industrial Revolution, Brunswick grew at an impressive rate. The Company began to expand manufacturing throughout the United States and opened showrooms as far and wide as Paris, Mexico City and Buenos Aires. This was a time of capital expansion. Brunswick joined the New York Stock Exchange in 1925, and remains as only a handful of companies that have continued with the same name on the Exchange ever since. The boom era was a time for expanding Brunswick billiards tables and growing into new complementary businesses such as...