If you’ve ever read youth fiction from the 1940’s and 1950’s, you would be hard pressed to find a young boy in the book who doesn’t have a marble bag. While these small glass orbs were fairly common in the early 20th century, did you know that the history of this game goes much further back in time? You can click here to see some of the highly-artistic offerings from Zac’s Lost His Marbles, but here’s a brief look at the story of these highly-prized collectibles.
The Very Early Years
When archaeologists unearthed tombs of Egyptian children, it wasn’t uncommon to find small clay balls buried along with them. While definitive evidence isn’t there, the most common speculation is that these were indeed the very first marble-like game pieces. On the other side of the Mediterranean Sea, ancient Greek and Roman youth commonly played games with round nuts, which later morphed into balls of clay and stone. In the new world, kids playing games with small orb-like objects can be found in Aztec murals.
Europe in the Middle Ages to Modern Times
Venetian artists have long been famed for their glassmaking skills, and for many of them, marbles were a part of their repertoire. After a hiatus that lasted a few centuries, this game popped up again in the mid-to-late Middle Ages. For further proof of this activity’s popularity with 16th century youth, paintings from the time depict children playing, and some towns even passed laws legislating where and when it can be played. Archaeologists who visited the childhood home of religious reformer Martin Luther have found evidence that he partook in this type of childhood amusement, and famous British author Daniel Defoe even wrote a story about an extremely-talented player in the middle of the 18th century.
Large-Scale Production
By the end of the 1800’s, German glassmakers dominated the marble-making industry, thanks to the invention of a device called marble scissors. With the arrival of the industrial revolution, the center of the world for these glass orbs shifted to the United States when a Danish immigrant started making them with machinery in Ohio right around the turn of the century. By the 1920’s, full mechanization created a massive supply that allowed children to play and compete in tournaments. Stories even exist of soldiers playing marbles in the trenches and foxholes of both world wars.
Today’s Popularity
While the middle of the 20th century served as the marble’s golden age, today they’re still quite popular with collectors. While mass-produced examples are still out on the market, today’s enthusiasm is all about the elaborate artistry that serves as the hallmark for the resurgence of handmade production. There are even publications and trade shows that revolve entirely around the market for these highly-collectible glass spheres.
That’s the Story
Now that you know a little more about the history of marbles, you can better appreciate how big a part they have played in the overall human drama. From ancient tombs to childhood playthings of social reformers to diversions for men at war, the path travelled by these small glass orbs is full of twists and turns. Start your collection today, and you’ll be joining an ancient fraternity of proud marble owners.
The Very Early Years
When archaeologists unearthed tombs of Egyptian children, it wasn’t uncommon to find small clay balls buried along with them. While definitive evidence isn’t there, the most common speculation is that these were indeed the very first marble-like game pieces. On the other side of the Mediterranean Sea, ancient Greek and Roman youth commonly played games with round nuts, which later morphed into balls of clay and stone. In the new world, kids playing games with small orb-like objects can be found in Aztec murals.
Europe in the Middle Ages to Modern Times
Venetian artists have long been famed for their glassmaking skills, and for many of them, marbles were a part of their repertoire. After a hiatus that lasted a few centuries, this game popped up again in the mid-to-late Middle Ages. For further proof of this activity’s popularity with 16th century youth, paintings from the time depict children playing, and some towns even passed laws legislating where and when it can be played. Archaeologists who visited the childhood home of religious reformer Martin Luther have found evidence that he partook in this type of childhood amusement, and famous British author Daniel Defoe even wrote a story about an extremely-talented player in the middle of the 18th century.
Large-Scale Production
By the end of the 1800’s, German glassmakers dominated the marble-making industry, thanks to the invention of a device called marble scissors. With the arrival of the industrial revolution, the center of the world for these glass orbs shifted to the United States when a Danish immigrant started making them with machinery in Ohio right around the turn of the century. By the 1920’s, full mechanization created a massive supply that allowed children to play and compete in tournaments. Stories even exist of soldiers playing marbles in the trenches and foxholes of both world wars.
Today’s Popularity
While the middle of the 20th century served as the marble’s golden age, today they’re still quite popular with collectors. While mass-produced examples are still out on the market, today’s enthusiasm is all about the elaborate artistry that serves as the hallmark for the resurgence of handmade production. There are even publications and trade shows that revolve entirely around the market for these highly-collectible glass spheres.
That’s the Story
Now that you know a little more about the history of marbles, you can better appreciate how big a part they have played in the overall human drama. From ancient tombs to childhood playthings of social reformers to diversions for men at war, the path travelled by these small glass orbs is full of twists and turns. Start your collection today, and you’ll be joining an ancient fraternity of proud marble owners.
