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Employer Quick Look
Manufacturing
HQ: Bristol, WI |
51 - 200 employees |
Brunswick did not initially produce their own line of composition balls, and were agents for the Hyatt Billiard Ball Company of Albany, New York. Brunswick did, however, produce ivory balls for the trade early on.
Ivory from elephant tusk grows in an annual ring, much like a tree. A blood vessel that goes through the center of the tusk can be seen as a black dot. This dot becomes the center mark of the ball, and is the point where the ball is pinned when being turned. A ball must be turned perfectly in order to roll properly.
1906—Brunswick opens a plant in Muskegon, Michigan and begins to produce their own line of balls in a big way. At this time, “Mineralite,” “Compo-lvory” and “Empire” sets came into being. Advertisements prominently feature the inside of the balls, as shown here.
Beginning around 1910 and continuing throughout the 1920s, the Empire and Ivorylene pockets balls were two “best sellers” for Brunswick. The numbers in early Ivorylenes were placed in the stripe. Later the numbers would be moved to the field.
The early 1930s introduced the first mention of the term “Dart” and brought the emergence of the first, (now trademarked) dart markings on the balls. Balls were “torture tested”—a grueling three floor drop test onto a steel plate! By 1934, the “Ivorylene Dart” balls appear in catalogs and advertisements.
By the 1940s, the quality of these balls became apparent. Not surprisingly, the type of ball manufactured by Brunswick back then set the standards for, and became the forerunner to, the Centennial® Ball.
Early in the 1950s, new “Centennial Cast Phenolic Balls” are introduced. These balls, however, bear little resemblance to the Centennial® balls of today, appearing without the heavy inlaid numbers, the now familiar black circle border and of course, the famous darts. The Ivorylene balls, on the other hand, do appear with a form of these identifying marks.
In the middle of the 1950s the Centennial® ball brand finally emerges with a black circle border and our famous, trademarked “darts.”
After 1966, there are no more Ivorylenes. In 1967 an ad was run showing the cosmetic evolution of Centennial® balls; clear, sparkling colors, a heavily inlaid black ring, heavy numbers (now cast as part of the ball), and heavier, more defined “dart” markings. Also introduced at this time: new boxes—white with blue printing, featuring a Brunswick logo—and the first sets of “Gold Crown™” balls.
Considered a different “grade” of Centennial® balls, the original set of Gold Crown™ balls has numbers in the field instead of in the stripe, has no darts and no black ring around the numbers.
Today, Centennial® Pocket balls are the standard of excellence in the industry. Made of premium grade phenolic resin, Centennial® balls are exactingly ground and polished for absolute true and accurate roll. Distinguished with the celebrated "dart" and sparkling with lustrous colors, Centennial® balls are superior in both playing quality and appearance.
Ivory from elephant tusk grows in an annual ring, much like a tree. A blood vessel that goes through the center of the tusk can be seen as a black dot. This dot becomes the center mark of the ball, and is the point where the ball is pinned when being turned. A ball must be turned perfectly in order to roll properly.
1906—Brunswick opens a plant in Muskegon, Michigan and begins to produce their own line of balls in a big way. At this time, “Mineralite,” “Compo-lvory” and “Empire” sets came into being. Advertisements prominently feature the inside of the balls, as shown here.
Beginning around 1910 and continuing throughout the 1920s, the Empire and Ivorylene pockets balls were two “best sellers” for Brunswick. The numbers in early Ivorylenes were placed in the stripe. Later the numbers would be moved to the field.
The early 1930s introduced the first mention of the term “Dart” and brought the emergence of the first, (now trademarked) dart markings on the balls. Balls were “torture tested”—a grueling three floor drop test onto a steel plate! By 1934, the “Ivorylene Dart” balls appear in catalogs and advertisements.
By the 1940s, the quality of these balls became apparent. Not surprisingly, the type of ball manufactured by Brunswick back then set the standards for, and became the forerunner to, the Centennial® Ball.
Early in the 1950s, new “Centennial Cast Phenolic Balls” are introduced. These balls, however, bear little resemblance to the Centennial® balls of today, appearing without the heavy inlaid numbers, the now familiar black circle border and of course, the famous darts. The Ivorylene balls, on the other hand, do appear with a form of these identifying marks.
In the middle of the 1950s the Centennial® ball brand finally emerges with a black circle border and our famous, trademarked “darts.”
After 1966, there are no more Ivorylenes. In 1967 an ad was run showing the cosmetic evolution of Centennial® balls; clear, sparkling colors, a heavily inlaid black ring, heavy numbers (now cast as part of the ball), and heavier, more defined “dart” markings. Also introduced at this time: new boxes—white with blue printing, featuring a Brunswick logo—and the first sets of “Gold Crown™” balls.
Considered a different “grade” of Centennial® balls, the original set of Gold Crown™ balls has numbers in the field instead of in the stripe, has no darts and no black ring around the numbers.
Today, Centennial® Pocket balls are the standard of excellence in the industry. Made of premium grade phenolic resin, Centennial® balls are exactingly ground and polished for absolute true and accurate roll. Distinguished with the celebrated "dart" and sparkling with lustrous colors, Centennial® balls are superior in both playing quality and appearance.
BRUNSWICK BILLIARDS AWARDED THREE NEW DESIGN PATENTS
BRISTOL, Wis. (Oct. 5, 2004) – Brunswick Billiards has been awarded three new design patents for its Centennial™ Cue Rack Billiard Ball Storage Tube, as well as its Manhattan™ and Cosmopolitan™ tables.
Brunswick’s Centennial Cue Rack Billiard Ball Storage Tube is uniquely designed to hold a full set of billiard balls. The ball storage tube is featured on the Centennial™ Wall Rack, Centennial™ Floor Rack and Centennial™ Pedestal Rack. The wall and pedestal racks are available in a dark walnut finish. The floor rack is available in oak, cherry, and Original Mahogany™ finish.
“Both the Manhattan and Cosmopolitan tables present faithful design aesthetics in the context of supreme engineering and superb performance and playability - hallmarks of the Brunswick nameplate,” said John E. Stransky, president of Brunswick Billiards. “The tables reflect different interpretations of today’s contemporary design – a new stage for Brunswick tables.”
The sleek styling of the Manhattan heralds a new era in Brunswick tables. Stunning in its presence, the table features natural maple or black-stained rails, stainless steel and diamond rail sights. Constructed with either natural maple or black-stained rails, stainless steel shields on the baseframe, and stainless steel legs with aircraft cables, the Manhattan is available in eight-foot and nine-foot models.
The Cosmopolitan is a modern interpretation of tables from the 1920s and 1930s embracing the elegance and nostalgia of the Brunswick brand. Elegant, rounded elements featuring “bull-nose” corners and curvatures in sumptuous Italian leather are complemented by beautiful cherry wood and dark metallic accents. Mother-of-pearl cat’s-eye sights mimic the curves of the table. Constructed of natural cherry rails and leather aprons, the Cosmopolitan is available in an eight-foot model.
“Our team works very hard at creating a unique design and bringing it to the marketplace," said Stransky. “Therefore, we defend our designs and our dealers very aggressively.”
In fact, over the past year Brunswick has launched successful legal challenges against a number of companies that infringed Brunswick’s patents and designs, including Brunswick’s ball and cue racks, the trademarked "Circle with Darts" design found on its Centennial® Balls, and design patents for its Gold Crown™ and Mission® tables.
“We place great value on our intellectual property, and have demonstrated a willingness to vigorously defend our rights against infringement,” said Stransky.
For nearly 160 years, Brunswick Billiards has been the leader in designing the highest quality in billiards tables with a standard of superior craftsmanship preferred by experts around the world. Based in Bristol, Wis., the company has more than 300 retail dealer locations across the United States and designs billiards tables and accessories. For more information about Brunswick Billiards and its product line, visit its Web site at www.brunswickbilliards.com.
BRISTOL, Wis. (Oct. 5, 2004) – Brunswick Billiards has been awarded three new design patents for its Centennial™ Cue Rack Billiard Ball Storage Tube, as well as its Manhattan™ and Cosmopolitan™ tables.
Brunswick’s Centennial Cue Rack Billiard Ball Storage Tube is uniquely designed to hold a full set of billiard balls. The ball storage tube is featured on the Centennial™ Wall Rack, Centennial™ Floor Rack and Centennial™ Pedestal Rack. The wall and pedestal racks are available in a dark walnut finish. The floor rack is available in oak, cherry, and Original Mahogany™ finish.
“Both the Manhattan and Cosmopolitan tables present faithful design aesthetics in the context of supreme engineering and superb performance and playability - hallmarks of the Brunswick nameplate,” said John E. Stransky, president of Brunswick Billiards. “The tables reflect different interpretations of today’s contemporary design – a new stage for Brunswick tables.”
The sleek styling of the Manhattan heralds a new era in Brunswick tables. Stunning in its presence, the table features natural maple or black-stained rails, stainless steel and diamond rail sights. Constructed with either natural maple or black-stained rails, stainless steel shields on the baseframe, and stainless steel legs with aircraft cables, the Manhattan is available in eight-foot and nine-foot models.
The Cosmopolitan is a modern interpretation of tables from the 1920s and 1930s embracing the elegance and nostalgia of the Brunswick brand. Elegant, rounded elements featuring “bull-nose” corners and curvatures in sumptuous Italian leather are complemented by beautiful cherry wood and dark metallic accents. Mother-of-pearl cat’s-eye sights mimic the curves of the table. Constructed of natural cherry rails and leather aprons, the Cosmopolitan is available in an eight-foot model.
“Our team works very hard at creating a unique design and bringing it to the marketplace," said Stransky. “Therefore, we defend our designs and our dealers very aggressively.”
In fact, over the past year Brunswick has launched successful legal challenges against a number of companies that infringed Brunswick’s patents and designs, including Brunswick’s ball and cue racks, the trademarked "Circle with Darts" design found on its Centennial® Balls, and design patents for its Gold Crown™ and Mission® tables.
“We place great value on our intellectual property, and have demonstrated a willingness to vigorously defend our rights against infringement,” said Stransky.
For nearly 160 years, Brunswick Billiards has been the leader in designing the highest quality in billiards tables with a standard of superior craftsmanship preferred by experts around the world. Based in Bristol, Wis., the company has more than 300 retail dealer locations across the United States and designs billiards tables and accessories. For more information about Brunswick Billiards and its product line, visit its Web site at www.brunswickbilliards.com.