I was watching this video and thought

[poQet trainer]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JCdJ08_M3Ywhat's the oldest known game of pool, 14.1 has colored and numbered balls,it isn't necessary for that at least in respect to straight pool, how did that come to be? was it 8 ball, since it has even numbered solids and stripes? was it a rotation game? I can't find an answer. this question is directed for the 1-15 numbered and colored balls, not any other type like carom and snooker and anything else. thanks.

 

[bdorman]

Interesting question. The oldest antique balls I've seen were un-colored but numbered. Of course, that doesn't tell us anything: it could have been for rotation, or for call shots in 14.1.

Calling Mr. Bond!

http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Pool.htm says it was one-pocket and Four-Ball, later followed (1870s) by Straight Pool and 15-ball rotation. The article calls 15-ball rotation the predecessor of all modern American pool games.