Beginning in 1930, Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co.’s (BBC) Art Deco designs started taking on a very different look and construction. The Great Depression was taking a toll on American manufacturing, but billiard rooms and their suppliers were doing quite well.
The BBC 20th Century c. 1939
BBC started enclosing the leather pockets with metal shields and using a wider apron between the pockets for a more streamlined effect. Construction materials like lumber core as well as veneer core plywoods began to be standard and masonite laminates also had their first showing in billiard tables.
The BBC Centennial c. 1945
In 1945, BBC celebrated its one hundredth year in business and they introduced two new models–the Centennial and the Anniversary. These two models lasted a decade and a half without much change.
The BBC Anniversary c. 1945
In 1961, the Gold Crown replaced the Centennial and Anniversary models and is still in production today.