Darts comes from medieval England, where soldiers threw shortened arrows at a wine barrel, and the board numbering is credited to Brian Gamlin in 1896.
The timeline covers the 1908 court case that kept darts legal in pubs, the split into the PDC and the WDF in 1992, the nine-dart leg, the throwing distance of 2.37 metres and Phil Taylor’s 16 world titles.
Key Facts
| Where does darts come from? | Medieval England, where soldiers threw shortened arrows at the base of a wine barrel or a cross-section of a tree. |
| Who designed the board? | Brian Gamlin, a carpenter from Bury, is credited with the numbering in 1896. The order punishes near misses instead of rewarding them. |
| What is a nine-darter? | The perfect leg, 501 finished in nine darts. It is the sport’s equivalent of a maximum break. |
| Who governs it? | The PDC and the WDF, since the sport split in 1992. The PDC runs the richer professional circuit. |
| How far is the throw? | 2.37 metres from the board, with the bullseye 1.73 metres above the floor. |
| Who is the greatest player? | Phil Taylor, with 16 world titles across both organisations, ahead of Eric Bristow and Michael van Gerwen. |
Darts History Summary
- ⏳ Origins and Evolution: Darts traces its roots back to medieval England, where it began as a pastime for soldiers and later transitioned into a favorite pub game. Over time, standardized rules and equipment emerged, shaping the sport we know today.
- 🚀 Rise to Prominence: The formation of the British Darts Organisation (BDO) in the early 1970s and the introduction of the World Professional Darts Championship in 1978 fueled the sport’s popularity. Iconic players like Eric Bristow and Phil Taylor captivated fans and elevated darts to a professional level.
- 🥇 Noteworthy Growth and Adaptation: Darts has experienced significant expansion over the past few decades, with the formation of the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and the televised broadcast of major tournaments. The sport’s embrace of technology, international competitions, and ongoing development continue to secure its global appeal.
Timeline
| Year | What Happened |
|---|---|
| 1300s to 1500s | English soldiers throw shortened arrows at barrel ends to pass the time, and the game moves into taverns. |
| 1800s | Regional boards multiply, among them the Yorkshire and London patterns, each with its own scoring. |
| 1896 | Brian Gamlin’s numbering sequence appears on the London board and becomes the standard everywhere. |
| 1908 | A court case in Leeds is settled when a publican hits three twenties on demand, establishing darts as a game of skill, not chance. |
| 1920s | Breweries organise pub leagues across Britain and the game becomes a national pastime. |
| 1927 | The News of the World Championship begins and gives darts its first mass audience. |
| 1973 | The British Darts Organisation is founded and puts the sport on television. |
| 1978 | The first World Professional Darts Championship is held, won by Leighton Rees. |
| 1992 | Sixteen leading players break away and found what becomes the PDC, and the prize money grows tenfold within two decades. |
The 1908 Leeds court case is the reason darts is legal in pubs at all. Games of chance were restricted, and a publican proving he could hit the treble twenty three times running settled the question of skill.
Darts needs a board, a floor and three metres of space. See the full indoor sports list for the other sports that fit indoors.
1300s – 1500s
The early origins of darts can be traced back to medieval England when soldiers used short arrows and threw them at the bottom of wine barrels or tree trunks as a way to pass time. By the 1500s, the game had become a popular activity in pubs, where it was also used to settle disputes and challenges.
The initial dartboards were made from elmwood, which required constant soaking to prevent splitting. As the game continued to spread throughout the British Isles, different regions developed distinct rules, resulting in a lack of standardization across the sport.
1800s – early 1900s
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, darts began to evolve into modern forms. Standardized dartboards were introduced, notably the Yorkshire Board and the London Board. In 1896, Brian Gamlin, a carpenter from Bury, Lancashire, devised the numbering system on the London Board that is still in use today.
During this period, the sport gained traction among the working class of Britain. Immigrants from the British Isles helped spread the game to other countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
1920s – 1930s
In the 1920s, British breweries started organizing darts leagues, leading to increased popularity and adoption of the game. The first ever News of the World Individual Darts Championship took place in 1927, but the competition was only open to players residing in London.
Throughout the 1930s, darts gained international recognition, with tournaments held in countries like Canada and the United States. The News of the World Championship opened up to players from across the United Kingdom, laying the groundwork for the future World Championships.
1950s
Television broadcasts began playing a significant role in the prominence of darts during the 1950s. The British television show “Indoor League,” which aired from 1972 to 1977, regularly featured darts competitions, further increasing the sport’s popularity among the general public.
In 1954, the National Darts Association of Great Britain was formed to oversee and promote the sport. Their efforts contributed to better regulation and standardization of darts, paving the way for a more organized and professional game.
1970s
The modern era of professional darts began in the 1970s when the British Darts Organisation (BDO) was established in 1973. The first World Professional Darts Championship took place in 1978 and was won by Leighton Rees.
During this decade, legendary darts players like Eric Bristow and John Lowe emerged, further garnering attention for the sport. The broadcast of major tournaments on television led to an explosion in popularity and enticed more players to participate in the game.
1990s
The 1990s were marked by a major split in professional darts. In 1992, many of the sport’s top players broke away from the BDO, citing dissatisfaction with its management, and formed a new organization, the World Darts Council (WDC), later renamed the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC).
The PDC introduced lucrative prize money and hosted its inaugural World Championship in 1994. With two rival organizations causing division, darts experienced a turbulent period, but this also led to increased competition and growth in the sport’s exposure.
2000s – 2010s
The new millennium saw the dominance of Phil “The Power” Taylor. His 16 World Championship wins and numerous other titles solidified his legendary status in darts history. The sport continued to grow, with major tournaments consistently drawing large audiences around the world.
Advancements in technology during this period introduced electronic scoreboards, digital platforms for watching live games, and online communities of fans and players. The PDC supported the sport’s expansion by hosting tournaments in countries like Germany, Netherlands, and the United States, further cementing darts’ global reach.
FAQ
Who invented Darts?
The game of Darts was created by soldiers in medieval England, specifically archers who began throwing short arrows at the bottom of a cask or tree while they were not engaged in battle.
How did Darts become so popular?
Darts gained popularity due to its easy understanding, low cost, and the social aspect of the game. The inception of professional leagues and televised tournaments further boosted its stature.
Where did Darts originate?
Darts originated in medieval England, and was initially a pastime indulged in by soldiers, particularly archers. Today, it is played professionally and recreationally all over the world.
