ABSTRACT
Once the Great Depression had become a sad reality (1933), fewer Americans could afford to buy a baseball or hockey ticket. Their plight alerted entrepreneurs who immediately recognized the need for cheaper forms of recreation. Bagatelle had already proven itself a moneymaker in the penny arcades several decades before. It began as entertainment for children but quickly developed into a game for adults. Players cued a ball across an oblong table to hit a mark or fall in a hole, scoring points. It was a one-shot try using several balls, so a game ended quickly. Bagatelle did not require the keen eye and steady arm of the billiards player, nor the patience to devise strategy. It was a poor man's billiards minus the finesse, but with some inventive twists and enough garish packaging to beckon players from across the arcade.
