Automatic pin-spotters and the robust economy fuel a bowling boom in the United States. Newly unemployed pinboys become beatniks and rocket scientists. The number of bowling alleys tops 10,000 nationwide as a once-shady activity is now sold as wholesome family fun. After decades of growth, bowling declines in popularity as people can no longer commit to lengthy league schedules. Meanwhile, young people have new distractions such as video games, cable TV and indifference.
Robust economy spurs bowling boom in Japan and South Korea.
The ball is a custom job created by Ebonite. Bowling companies look to China and Eastern Europe as next great markets. Once a core hardens, or cures, it is moved to the assembly line, where it will either be coated with molten polyester or urethane. The goo hardens into a thick plastic shell, the familiar glossy surface of the bowling ball. Further down the assembly line, the molds are yanked off and the balls are run through grinding machines to remove mold marks and other imperfections.