Marbles Facts
Marbles are small spherical toys used for thousands of years in a variety of games. Traditionally, marbles were made from the precious rock for which they are named; however, clay, agate and glass are often used as well. Sizes vary and techniques for play depend on the game itself. Marbles are collected by players and people for nostalgia, aesthetics and simple game play.
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History
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According to the 1998 book Marbles: 101 Ways to Play, marbles originated in Ancient Rome and Egypt. The small spherical toys were named after the Latin word for "expensive stone."
Features
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Modern marbles are usually not made from the actual marble rock. Factories produce marbles by dropping hot glass in steel rollers designed to round out the toys and give them the spherical shape.
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Size
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Marbles come in multiple sizes. The standard small marble size is usually half an inch in diameter. Larger marbles, used as "shooters," are usually around ¾ inch in diameter when used for official play. However, other sizes are available.
Considerations
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In order to shoot a marble professionally, a specific technique must be learned. A player places her knuckles on the ground. The shooter is then placed between the first and second finger with the forefinger curled around the marble. The player then flicks the marble.
Fun Fact
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The National Marbles Tournament is held annually each June in Wildwood, New Jersey. Players are aged seven to 15 and play a game with marbles called "Ringer."
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hand-made marbles from West Africa/Asbestos/Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.0
