pre-20th Century
A brief history of significant dates for the Company and some
other interesting dates concerning the developments in Billiards
& Snooker.
1799 - John Thurston established in Newcastle
Street,St. Clement Danes, Strand, London as a Cabinet Maker and
Billiards Table Maker .
1807 - The first leather cue tips used by
Monsieur Mingaud -a retired French Infantry Officer which he
punched out from old leather harness.
1814 - John Thurston moved to Catherine Street
nearby and became the very first to specialise in making Billiards
and Bagatelle Tables and Billiards Room Furniture. Their factory at
Cheyne Walk, Chelsea named 'The Waterloo Billiard Works'.
1820 - Darlington founded in Liverpool as
manufacturers of bowling green bowls and ivory turning.
1826 - John Thurston introduced the first Slate
Bed (Thurston's old records show that a slate bed was supplied to
White's Club -London In 1832).
1826 - John Thurston was granted the Royal
Warrant of His Majesty King George IV -(Sole appointment) .
1830 - Thos. Padmore established as a Billiards
Table Maker in Little Charles Street Birmingham.
1833 - John Thurston was granted the Royal
Warrant of His Majesty King William IV - (Sole appointment).
1835 - John Thurston introduced the first
natural rubber cushions, which superseded the old Stuffed List
Cushions, made up of layers of felt padding.
1837 - John Thurston was granted the Royal
Warrant of Her Majesty Queen Victoria -(Sole appointment).
1845 - John Thurston introduced and patented the
first Vulcanised Rubber Cushions. (The original Letters Patent is
displayed at Thurston's).
Also about this time John Bruswick, the founder of the great
U.S.A. Billiard company saw a Thurston table, was impressed by the
quality, and set about making Billiard tables in the
U.S.A.
1850 - John Thurston died, business continued
by his right hand man Samuel Pitts in partnership with G. J.
Atkins, later his son Thos. Pitts was active in the business until
about 1890.
1851 - Thurston's awarded the Prize Medal
(Highest Award) at the Great Exhibition.
1868 - The first Composition Billiard Balls
Invented by Mr John Wesley Hyatt of Albany, New York State, and
called the Bonzoline Ball.
1869 - Thurston's introduced the Improved
Vulcanised Rubber Cushions.
1869 - J .Ashcroft established as Billiard table
Makers in Liverpool.
1871 - Thos. Padmore moved office & factory
to 118 Edmund Street, Birmingham
1875 - SNOOKER INVENTED" by Army Officers playing
in the Officers Mess at Jubblepore, India.
1882 - Thurston's introduced the "Perfect Low
Cushion". In 1885 John Roberts writes.. "your Cushions are simply
perfect"
1882 - A "COMMITTEE" of Army Officers agreed the
original Rules of SNOOKER at Ootacmund, India.
1885 - The first meeting of the Billiards
Association was held on 1st February at the offices of "The
Sportsman" composed of Professional Players and Billiards Traders.
Followed by weekly meetings chaired by John Roberts, the work of
revising the rules of billiards was concluded 21st September
1885.
1885 - PERADON'S founded by Leopold George
Peradon manufacturing Billiard Cues at Linacre Road, Willesden,
London
1886 - J .Ashcroft's award Gold Medal for the
'excellence of the Billiard Table' .
1887 - Thurston's introduced and patented the
first 'bottomless' pocket.
1891 - Thurston introduced their patented
'Adamant Block' cushions.
1891 - In response to invitations several
Billiards Traders prepared and submitted models of a proposed
Standard Size of Billiards Table. At a meeting on 28th April 1891
the Billiards Association selected Thurston's Model
1892 - Thurston table specified in the
revised rules of Billiards Association and it has been the standard
stipulated ever since and on which all Billiard & Snooker
tables are still based.
1896 - BILLARD VAN LAERE established as
Billiard Table Makers in Brussels.
© E.A. Clare & Son Ltd. 2018
All items displayed are from the N.
Clare collection.
Reproduction of articles allowed
only with permission from E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.
Please do not hesitate to ask should you need any advice on
snooker, billiards or pool or wish to make a purchase.
Thurston has the most comprehensive
range of tables and accessories available.
Visit our e-shop - www.thurston.co.uk
Email - thurston@eaclare.co.uk
Phone -0151 482 2700