How Hidden Technology Transformed Bowling

Lesson learned: next time I go bowling, I'll ask the facility what their oil patterns are to optimize my strategy, and then after making a big show of that, subsequently lose.

I thought I was bad at bowling personally, but now I know I'm bad at bowling scientifically. Thanks!

I like how stressed Weber gets when asked to bowl on the dry lane.

I worked evenings in a bowling alley in 1978 & 79 and learned lots of things that were surprising. One was the cost for fire insurance for a building filled with lanes made of oak, surfaced with 7 coats of lacquer, and kept oiled daily with a light coating of oil. All of these were quite flammable which made the insurance bill the largest expense that owners had. I was involved with laying the 7 coats of lacquer during that time and was very happy once we had finished because we pulled 1 coat every 4 hours with the fans turned off which meant the air became heavy with the vapors. As the years passed and balls were made from new materials, the lanes were made out of nonflammable materials coated with safer coatings.

".. We need the oil. If there was no oil, nobody would have fun." That's the most American thing ever said coincidentally

He really did not want to throw a bad strike on that dry lane.

I love how the pro bowler was practically insulted by Derek's request that he try bowling on the unoiled lane.

As I was cleaning out my mothers house after she died, I was really surprised by her bowling trophies. I never once saw her bowl, or do anything “sporting.” But apparently she had a 175 league average and a 200-something game. But his was in the late 60’s. After watching this video, I’m even more impressed.

“…makes the balls perfectly round” he says to a guy who’s held the Avogadro Project kilogram sphere.

13:26 his hesitation on throwing a gutter ball is palpable

I watched this a year ago as a non-bowler and was fascinated. Now a year later I joined my first league and have become obsessed with learning more to get better, knowing much more on the subject I watched it again and am so impressed with how accurate the information is and how well organized it is for non-bowlers to understand. Love your videos, keep up the great work!

I used to bowl a lot and in 28 minutes you have explained the game and technology very well. Kudos.

I’m a bowler and the knowledge I’ve accumulated over 2 years is condensed into a 28 min video. This would have been helpful when I started 😂. Awesome video

I feel like this should become a series. I would definitely watch more deep dives into sports like this.

I've been bowling for almost 40 years as a kid, teen leaguer, and a fun league as an adult. I'm not great, about a 185 average. I was fascinated by this video. I especially enjoyed part about the 3 stages of the ball, slipping, hitting the dry spot then rolling. Had no clue and i hope this elevates my game with better understanding on how to adjust as the game goes by. Great video, well done, Sir

Getting to bowl with Big Pete is a peak experience

As someone who has bowled for 15 years and averages over 220 in league, I want to say this video is incredible! It goes into so much depth but still explains every concept correctly and simply. If you watched this video you know so much more about the science behind the sport than a majority of regular league bowlers. Most bowlers can not tell what the rg on a ball actually means

Astounding to see a crossover between two giants - Derek, and "Who do you think you are - I AM"

Can't believe you did all this stuff with Storm and didn't once mention how they make their bowling balls scented. Each model has its own scent (vanilla, cinnamon, apple, etc.)

This is awesome and super interesting. I'd love to see the same analysis done on disc golf... recently took that up as a hobby and the way disc edge shapes affect aerodynamics and flight paths are really incredible.