The origins of the game of darts are rather confused although the board that we recognise today has been in existence since the turn of the 19th century.  Popular throughout the United Kingdom since the turn of the century, it was traditionally a pub game before becoming a recognised sport.  Originally made from wood, today’s dart boards are made from natural sisal fibres that are compressed together and then glued to a backing board.  A standard board, measures 17¾ inches in diameter and is divided into twenty sections by a metal wire.  The numbers showing the various scoring sections are usually made of wire, especially on tournament-quality boards, but cheaper boards may just have the numbers printed on.  

The World Darts Federation standardised some of the measurements used in a game; the dartboard should officially hang so that the “bulls eye” (or centre of the dart board) is exactly 5 foot 8 inches  from the floor.  Players must stand behind a standardised line (or “oche” pronounced okki) 7 foot 9¼ inches from the face of the dart board.  

Each player has three darts and the tips of these were originally made from brass.  Cheaper tips may still be made from brass although these days, the material of choice for a player would usually be tungsten alloy.  The bulk of the dart (the shaft) may be made from plastic, aluminium or composite materials. Finally, there is the “flight” of the dart, which whilst usually made from plastic, may also be made from feathers.