Carrom Company:
Our Story
Learn about the Carrom Company & its mission to create fun, face-to-face interactions between family members & friends. Read more about Carrom's history!
Carrom Company: Our Story
Throughout the Carrom Company history, our mission and values have aligned around a core principle: We believe in-person, active fun never gets old.
As a maker of high-quality wooden board games for over 135 years, we believe these timeless games bring us back to a time when we played against our friends and family face-to-face, creating moments when we can unplug and reconnect. We are committed to crafting hand-crafted products that offer children and adults alike action-packed, skill-based gameplay. Because, while the games may end, the memories never will.
History of the Carrom Company
The Carrom Company was originally founded in 1889 in Ludington, Michigan, by Henry L. Haskell. In its earliest years, the company was known as the Ludington Novelty Works, but that name would soon change. In October of 1897, Haskell was granted a U.S. patent on a board design for a game called Carrom (sometimes referred to as “Carroms”). The success of this new game was about to make company history, and after a subsequent merger with the Archarena Company, Ludington Novelty Works became the Carrom-Archarena Company in 1901. Carrom was officially born, both as a game and as a company. Children and families across the United States would soon spend countless hours practicing trick shots and mastering the soon-to-be iconic Carrom board games.
In the decades that followed, the Carrom Company begin to ship high-quality, American-made Carrom games to children around the world. Along the way, they dropped “Archarena” from the name and expanded its line of products. Fan favorites like the action-packe Nok Hockey® and the pulse-pounding Skittles board game were created, introducing new generations of children to that face-to-face interactivity that made Carrom a staple in American homes.
Underpinning our promise are the things that are important to us:
- Proudly Made in the USA Since 1889 - We’ve built long-lasting relationships with our customers for generations. Our people take pride in delivering the best. That’s why we sign our names to every game board we make
- Craftsmanship you can feel - Expertly crafted from sustainably sourced wood, each game we make is individually inspected to make sure it delivers a superior experience you can see and touch.
- Bonding thru Play - Whether it’s collaborative team play or friendly, face-to-face competition, our games bring people together, strengthen family bonds and fuel friendships.
- Full Sensory Fun - Simple, exhilarating, pulse-racing, active, everyday fun that boosts body and spirit. Designed for you to deeply engage in the moment and enjoy life-long memories.
Carrom Board Game Origins
Though our Carrom board game history begins in the late 19th century, the history of the game is even older! Many believe that Carrom (sometimes spelled as “karam” or “carom” among other spellings) is over 200 years old. It’s believed that the Carrom board game's origins can be traced back to India or a nearby Southeast Asian country, based on the popularity of Carrom in this region, though there is some dispute as to which country is the true origin.
While Henry L. Haskell filed a patent for the Carrom board game design in the United States, it’s believed that he was introduced to Carrom and created an American version for children nationwide. Since the introduction of the Carrom board to the United States, the game has become a popular pastime, with many players learning how to master the game over the years. Today, there is even a United States Carrom Association (USCA) that helps new players learn and master the sport of Carrom.