Watching the First TV Century Break video... the balls looked much bigger, the pockets might have been a bit more forgiving, and the table doesn't look like it occupies as much acreage. Where was that video shot? Is it just the poor video quality fooling me?
Not meant to take even a tiny thing away from Joe Davis, just curious about the equipment.
The video is from 1962 (not really all that long ago in my eyes) and by that time, dimensions had long been established with perhaps just a few minor tweaks here and there. Currently, ball diameter is specified as being metric, 52.5 mm which is indistinguishable by eye or hand from the long historical spec of 2-1/16" which is surely what is shown in the video. Table dimensions also have a very long history having been established from the much older game of English Billiards. (I will occasionally quip that "There is no such thing as a Snooker table....Snooker is a game played on an English Billiards table.") Personally, I have played snooker on a table originally built in 1872 by Thurston (obviously, reconditioned numerous times over), which actually pre-dates the accepted date of the "invention" of snooker in 1875. Dimensionally, still at modern specs, though of course the pockets can be set to whatever the fitter determines. Undoubtedly, the action with current equipment is more lively due to improvements in materials: steel back cushions; lighter, faster cloths; heated slates; etc. but I am certain that quite rapidly, Joe would feel very comfortable on modern equipment.
I think there is an optical illusion that might make us perceive greater differences than there actually are just due to the black and white image and the different camera angles than what we are used to seeing today.
For anyone who is a history buff and has time on their hands, you can download a Google book from 1896 which goes through a variety of aspects of the game and equipment of the time. It even gives you advice on such things as where to locate your sofa and fireplace when you build your house around your billiard parlor. :smile: Floor plans and everything.
http://google.com/books?id=LaI8AAAAYAAJ
http://www.google.com/books/downloa...ut=pdf&sig=ACfU3U09gS47SHHV9DuNIZCmvtGWtI2-qQ (direct link to .pdf download, you have to type in a code)
The information specifically regarding snooker at the time (1896, remember) begins on (original book) page 424 and I think that there is still relevant information to be had from it. Of interesting historical note, I believe at least, is the information about Black Pool on page 418 which is really the game from which Snooker evolved directly. Here the beginnings of standard snooker safety play and even the inkling of the concept of a "free ball" are emerging.