George Balabushka (1912 - 1975) is probably one of the most famous pool cue makers of all time. He was born in Russia, and at 12 he came to New York. Before starting in the cue making business he had worked as a toy maker, and after having worked with wood for over 30 years, he became a full-time cue maker. His name has grown to be synonymous with quality, and he took great pride in his work. His unflagging patience created some of the greatest examples of the cue makers art in billiards history.