The Ball of Fame – a Brief History of Steel Balls
Hartford Technologies' precision steel balls are widely known for their many applications in medicine and
industry. Long before today’s engineers began incorporating steel balls into modern designs, however,
early problem solvers were rolling out the concept to meet their needs.
Precursors to Steel Balls
The history of steel balls may be traced as far back as ancient Egypt. Early drawings suggest that the
massive stones used to construct pyramids were moved using a method that involved rolling balls.
Other depictions indicate that hand drills were crafted using a type of ball bearing mechanism.
An actual wooden ball bearing used in a rotating table was found in the wreckage of a circa 40 AD
Roman ship, recovered from Lake Nemi in Italy.
Around 1500, Leonardo da Vinci created his design for a helicopter, which included drawings of ball bearings.
A century later, Galileo conceptualized caged balls in a ball bearing application. It was not until nearly two
hundred years later, in Wales, that the first ball bearing design was patented by an inventor named
Phillip Vaughan.
Steel Balls & Weaponry
Among the earliest appearances of round metal objects is found in their use as ammunition for muskets
and cannons. The shape inherently made balls better projectiles, more aerodynamically suited for traveling
further distances.
A more whimsical steel ball weapon may be remembered from the movie, A Christmas Story. After receiving
his prized Red Ryder BB Gun, Ralphie loads it with tiny steel balls. Though steel balls are the common form
of BB gun ammunition, early air rifles were designed to fire .180” lead drop shot, which was the “BB” size
designation. Though this is most likely where the name of the gun originated, “BB” is also said to stand for
“ball bearings” or “bullet balls.”
The use of steel balls in BB guns began in the 1920’s, when air gun enthusiasts in Minneapolis made the
discovery that they could avoid the expense of buying lead shot by using scrap steel balls recovered from a
local steel manufacturer. As the return of damaged guns began to rise, it was discovered that the use of
over-sized steel balls was causing the problem. The result was the development of “Bulls Eye” brand steel
balls sized for air rifle use. This steel ball ammunition was well received because it cost less than lead shot.
Steel balls also performed better, due to the lighter weight.
Steel Balls for Fun & Play
More light-hearted applications of steel balls that have been around for a while include recreational favorites,
roller skates and the pinball machine.
First appearing in the 1700s, roller skates were greatly enhanced in the 1800s when the invention of pin ball
bearings allowed skates to roll better and be lighter in weight. More modern inline skate designs first used
steel balls for ball bearings, but eventually fiberglass was determined to be a better suited material.
The rolling of marbles or wooden balls was part of a variety of early games. Steel balls became star players
in the 1930s, with the popularization of the pinball machine. Today’s pinball games are significantly more
challenging than earlier designs, often involving multiple steel balls being in play at one time.
Whether your application is automotive, medical, or industrial products, Hartford can supply the steel balls
you require, anywhere in the world. Our dual-continent production capability provides a strong logistics advantage
to customers requiring high volumes, and all Hartford product is governed by US-based quality control systems
for tolerance, metallurgy and surface characteristics. Steel balls from Hartford Technologies are subject to APQP,
PFMEA, PPAP, and SPC quality processes. Hartford Technologies is ISO 9001:2008 and ISO/TS 16949:2002 certified.
Product pages:
carbon steel balls • stainless steel balls • chrome steel balls • miniature balls
|
