Codeball was invented in 1929 by a Chicago doctor named William Edward Code, who developed the game for his friend. At the time, Code's friend sought an inexpensive outdoor game suited to large playgrounds. Almost forgotten today, the game reached its peak of popularity in the 1930s. By summer 1932, at least 12 codeball courses were in existence, chiefly in the upper Midwest. The first codeball championship was won by Bert Gates, with a score of 69 for 15 bowls, at
Forest Park,
St. Louis, in 1935. == Variations ==