While many New Jerseyans know that the great game of Skee-Ball got its start in the Garden State, ask someone from Florida or Indiana and they’ll likely have no idea. The iconic arcade game is played around the country, and around the world, but few people know its story. So let’s take a closer look at this nostalgic past time and what might just be one of the most iconic things invented in New Jersey.
Skee-Ball is a staple at nearly every arcade in the United States.
SurFeRGiRL30/Flickr Pictured is Lucky Leo’s in Seaside Heights.
This was just as true a century ago! Though it may have been called Skill Ball, Ice Ball, or Skeeter’s Ball, it was the same game we know and love.
Joe Haupt/Flickr Pictured is Hunt’s Auditorium in Wildwood during the late 1920s.
Skee-Ball was invented and patented all the way back 1908 by Joseph Fourestier Simpson.
June Marie/Flickr
The Vineland resident did not name the game; he licensed it to John W. Harper and William Nice Jr. who created the Skee-Ball Alley Company.
Austin Kirk/Flickr
The first Skee-Ball games were tested in Princeton but they failed to find success. Luckily, the Skee-Ball Alley Company did not give up.
Patrick Neuhailler/Flickr
They tested a new market - Atlantic City. It was a boardwalk hit! In 1929, the first national Skee-Ball tournament was held there.
Fauxto_Digit/Flickr
Skee-Ball hasn’t changed much over the years. Though the machines may be more technologically advanced, and some now have 100-point circles in the corners, at its core, it’s the same game generations have enjoyed.
Tichnor Brothers/Wikipedia
While arcades existed for several decades before Skee-Ball became popular, they revolutionized the industry. One of the first-ever redemption games (where one could win tickets or prizes), they added a competitive component and element of skill. Other popular games that soon followed include Fascination, Baffle Ball, and Pinball. Were you familiar with Skee-Ball’s history? What’s your favorite arcade game?
SurFeRGiRL30/Flickr
Pictured is Lucky Leo’s in Seaside Heights.
Joe Haupt/Flickr
Pictured is Hunt’s Auditorium in Wildwood during the late 1920s.
June Marie/Flickr
Austin Kirk/Flickr
Patrick Neuhailler/Flickr
Fauxto_Digit/Flickr
Tichnor Brothers/Wikipedia
Skee-Ball is just one of the many things invented in New Jersey — here are some of the state’s most famous inventors and inventions!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: New Jersey, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
things invented in New Jersey March 07, 2021 Jackie Ann What are the best things about living in New Jersey? The number of people relocating to New Jersey over the past several years speaks to the many advantages of living in our state. Between our borders, family-friendly towns nestled in lush landscapes offer a wealth of amenities with excellent schools ranking among the best in the U.S. and a wide variety of outdoor and cultural activities to keep everyone active. The Garden State earned its moniker with its wealth of stunning scenic spaces, an abundance of public recreational areas, and 50 state parks to explore. From the Atlantic Coastal Plains to the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, New Jersey is a small state packed with an impressive range of natural beauty. What are the weirdest things about New Jersey? In addition to there being some downright weird things invented in New Jersey (see above), The Garden State is also kind of a weird place! If you are native to New Jersey, you are likely loyal to a favorite neighborhood diner, honoring a tradition that spans over a century. With an estimated 525 diners serving up comforting, traditional American dishes across our state, it’s not surprising we’ve been deemed the “Diner Capital of the Country.” In the early 1900s, these beloved eateries existed as portable structures serving lunches to on-the-go workers out of convenient wood-framed railway cars. As their popularity grew, diners were mass-produced for export to all corners of the world making New Jersey the diner manufacturing capital of the nation. What are the most unique things to do in New Jersey? One-of-a-kind excursions, unique destinations, and unforgettable attractions are plentiful across New Jersey and interesting sites are waiting to be discovered in all corners of our state. Just outside of Atlantic City you can snap a photo in front of a six-story elephant lovingly named “Lucy.” Constructed in 1881, this unique architectural landmark houses a gift shop and offers amazing beach views from its covered balcony. Another bizarre photo op is in rural Shamong. Venturing just off US Highway 206 you’ll meet Mighty Joe the Gorilla, a colossal fiberglass primate that makes a perfect backdrop for a quick quirky pose. At Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, the mesmerizing Rainbow Tunnel takes visitors on a glow-in-the-dark journey through the subterranean zinc ore passages of the last working mine in New Jersey.
The OIYS Visitor Center
things invented in New Jersey
March 07, 2021
Jackie Ann
What are the best things about living in New Jersey? The number of people relocating to New Jersey over the past several years speaks to the many advantages of living in our state. Between our borders, family-friendly towns nestled in lush landscapes offer a wealth of amenities with excellent schools ranking among the best in the U.S. and a wide variety of outdoor and cultural activities to keep everyone active. The Garden State earned its moniker with its wealth of stunning scenic spaces, an abundance of public recreational areas, and 50 state parks to explore. From the Atlantic Coastal Plains to the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, New Jersey is a small state packed with an impressive range of natural beauty. What are the weirdest things about New Jersey? In addition to there being some downright weird things invented in New Jersey (see above), The Garden State is also kind of a weird place! If you are native to New Jersey, you are likely loyal to a favorite neighborhood diner, honoring a tradition that spans over a century. With an estimated 525 diners serving up comforting, traditional American dishes across our state, it’s not surprising we’ve been deemed the “Diner Capital of the Country.” In the early 1900s, these beloved eateries existed as portable structures serving lunches to on-the-go workers out of convenient wood-framed railway cars. As their popularity grew, diners were mass-produced for export to all corners of the world making New Jersey the diner manufacturing capital of the nation. What are the most unique things to do in New Jersey? One-of-a-kind excursions, unique destinations, and unforgettable attractions are plentiful across New Jersey and interesting sites are waiting to be discovered in all corners of our state. Just outside of Atlantic City you can snap a photo in front of a six-story elephant lovingly named “Lucy.” Constructed in 1881, this unique architectural landmark houses a gift shop and offers amazing beach views from its covered balcony. Another bizarre photo op is in rural Shamong. Venturing just off US Highway 206 you’ll meet Mighty Joe the Gorilla, a colossal fiberglass primate that makes a perfect backdrop for a quick quirky pose. At Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, the mesmerizing Rainbow Tunnel takes visitors on a glow-in-the-dark journey through the subterranean zinc ore passages of the last working mine in New Jersey.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The number of people relocating to New Jersey over the past several years speaks to the many advantages of living in our state. Between our borders, family-friendly towns nestled in lush landscapes offer a wealth of amenities with excellent schools ranking among the best in the U.S. and a wide variety of outdoor and cultural activities to keep everyone active. The Garden State earned its moniker with its wealth of stunning scenic spaces, an abundance of public recreational areas, and 50 state parks to explore. From the Atlantic Coastal Plains to the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region, New Jersey is a small state packed with an impressive range of natural beauty.
What are the weirdest things about New Jersey?
In addition to there being some downright weird things invented in New Jersey (see above), The Garden State is also kind of a weird place! If you are native to New Jersey, you are likely loyal to a favorite neighborhood diner, honoring a tradition that spans over a century. With an estimated 525 diners serving up comforting, traditional American dishes across our state, it’s not surprising we’ve been deemed the “Diner Capital of the Country.” In the early 1900s, these beloved eateries existed as portable structures serving lunches to on-the-go workers out of convenient wood-framed railway cars. As their popularity grew, diners were mass-produced for export to all corners of the world making New Jersey the diner manufacturing capital of the nation.
What are the most unique things to do in New Jersey?
One-of-a-kind excursions, unique destinations, and unforgettable attractions are plentiful across New Jersey and interesting sites are waiting to be discovered in all corners of our state. Just outside of Atlantic City you can snap a photo in front of a six-story elephant lovingly named “Lucy.” Constructed in 1881, this unique architectural landmark houses a gift shop and offers amazing beach views from its covered balcony. Another bizarre photo op is in rural Shamong. Venturing just off US Highway 206 you’ll meet Mighty Joe the Gorilla, a colossal fiberglass primate that makes a perfect backdrop for a quick quirky pose. At Sterling Hill Mining Museum in Ogdensburg, the mesmerizing Rainbow Tunnel takes visitors on a glow-in-the-dark journey through the subterranean zinc ore passages of the last working mine in New Jersey.
