The evolution of the darts game may not be commonly known, but there are various interesting theories regarding its origins.
1. Romans History:
One popular belief is that the ancient Romans were the first to play darts around 2000 BC. They used a small stick and a bird’s feather to aim at a target.
The game of darts has been traced back to ancient Rome where soldiers would throw short, pointed arrows at the bottom of a barrel or tree trunk. This game was called “pila pilare,” which translates to “arrow throwing.” It served as a method of instruction for soldiers to increase their weapon accuracy.
During the Middle Ages, the game of darts evolved into a popular pastime for both adults and children. It was played using wooden arrows with feather flights and a target made from a slice of a tree trunk. The game was commonly known as “butt and target” and was often played in pubs and taverns throughout Europe.
2. English History
Dart games have a long history in England. Here are two points about it:
In the 19th century, darts became a popular pub game in England. The game was played with wooden darts and a board made of elm or poplar. The board was divided into numbered sections, with the bullseye in the center. The game was often played by workers in pubs after their shifts. And it became a staple of pub culture in England.
The modern standard for the game of darts was established in England in the 20th century. The standard dartboard, with its distinctive numbering and bullseye pattern, was developed by Brian Gamlen in 1896. The game also saw a surge in popularity in the 1970s. Special thanks to televised tournaments and the emergence of star players like Eric Bristow and John Lowe.
Royal Courts to The London Pubs
The popularity of darts grew exponentially, which is no surprise to anyone who has ever played the game. Despite its simplicity, darts are a pure sport that reveals hidden tactical and mechanical depths. Setting up for a game of darts is uncomplicated, making it accessible to anyone, regardless of physical shape or fitness level.
As a result, the game quickly spread across the British Isles, and even the nobility began to take part in it. Today, England remains a hub for professional darts, with the annual PDC World Darts Championship held at Alexandra Palace in London.
3. African History
Alternatively, some claim that darts originated in Africa, where it was played with a long stick and a small piece of wood or bone to target.
This version gained popularity in Britain when soldiers brought it back from Africa and subsequently spread throughout Asia and Europe.
Lastly, there is the theory that darts were initially used for hunting birds and small animals. With records of the practice dating back to the 16th century BC in Greece. In conclusion, while the true origins of darts may remain unknown, the theories behind them are certainly worth exploring.
Why Are the Numbers on A Dartboard in That Order?
Irrespective of their skill level or experience, every darts player will inevitably ask the same question. While some may ponder upon it from the moment, they step onto the oche, others may take years of consistent play to arrive at this question. Nonetheless, I can confidently state from my own experience that this question will eventually surface!
At some point in their darts-playing journey, every single player, regardless of their proficiency, will wonder why the numbers on a dartboard are arranged in a particular order. The numbering of the board is actually structured to enhance the requirement for skill and reduce the element of chance in the game. The arrangement of the numbers with higher numbers adjacent to lower ones increases the penalty for a missed dart.
Who was Brian Gamlin who invented the number system?
Brian Gamlin played a significant role in the development of the modern dartboard and the standardization of the game of darts. Here are a few key donations he made:
Gamlin is credited with designing the modern dartboard that is used today. He was a carpenter by trade and was tasked with making a new dartboard for a pub in Liverpool.
He experimented with different designs and came up with a board that had equal sections for each number and a smaller section for the bullseye. This design became known as the “clock” board and eventually evolved into the standard dartboard.
Gamlin also standardized the numbering system on the dartboard. He arranged the numbers so that they were in a specific order to maximize the skill required to hit certain sections of the board. He also added the double and triple rings around each number to increase the risk and reward of hitting certain sections.
Gamlin’s design for the dartboard became so popular that it was eventually adopted as the standard by the British Darts Organisation (BDO) and other organizations around the world. His contributions to the game of darts helped to make it the popular and competitive sport that it is today.
Thomas William Buckle
William Hazlitt, a renowned English essayist, philosopher, and social commentator, once asserted that a subject that ceases to be controversial ceases to be interesting. This statement certainly applies to the modern dartboard’s inventor. A topic of much debate and interest among millions of enthusiastic dart players worldwide.
The claim that Brian Gamlin invented the modern dartboard is a matter of controversy, with many disputing the evidence that supports his involvement. Recent research has failed to produce a death certificate for Brian Gamlin around the time of his supposed death in 1903. Adding to the dispute, Gamlin never filed a patent for his design. Some believe that Thomas William Buckle, a wire worker, should be credited with the standard sequence used today.
While Buckle is credited by some for inventing the Yorkshire variation of the board. Which is almost identical to the standard board but lacks the double and treble sections. The origin of the modern dartboard remains a contentious point with strong supporters on both sides of the argument.
In my opinion, the lack of a death certificate for Gamlin is not sufficient evidence to conclude that he did not invent the modern dartboard, especially since he was involved in the traveling carnival circuit and could have died far away from Lancashire.
Regardless of who invented the modern dartboard, its numerical sequence has become a fundamental element of the game of darts.
However, variations of the board are still prevalent worldwide, including regional boards like Ipswich and London 5’s, which only use sections numbered in multiples of 5, or the Kent and Grimsby boards, which are larger and feature a black design instead of the preferred green and red colors.
Even the Quadro board includes a quadruple scoring section that challenges even the most skilled darts players.
