Making Basketballs
Most recent answer: 10/22/2007
Q:
I’m interested in learning how basketballs are made. Can you point me in some direction?
starting from scratch, what materials do i need, and how can i put them together to make a basketball?
- Jason (age 12)
Beck Middle School, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States o
- Jason (age 12)
Beck Middle School, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, United States o
A:
Jason -
Traditionally, basketballs were made using a rubber bladder (like a very sturdy rubber balloon) sealed inside of a sewn leather case. Later, a cloth lining was added between the rubber and the leather to add strength. Today, basketballs are made of flexible plastic shaped by a mechanical mold. The ball is pressurized by pumping air through a small hole on its side.
It would be quite an undertaking to make a basketball yourself, but you could probably do it the old fashioned way if you really wanted to. You’d need to get some leather and sew the pieces together around a very sturdy inflated plastic ball or balloon. Sewing leather can be kind of tricky, but you can do it with a bit of practice and a tool called an awl.
For more information on basketballs and the history of the sport, click .
-Tamara
Traditionally, basketballs were made using a rubber bladder (like a very sturdy rubber balloon) sealed inside of a sewn leather case. Later, a cloth lining was added between the rubber and the leather to add strength. Today, basketballs are made of flexible plastic shaped by a mechanical mold. The ball is pressurized by pumping air through a small hole on its side.
It would be quite an undertaking to make a basketball yourself, but you could probably do it the old fashioned way if you really wanted to. You’d need to get some leather and sew the pieces together around a very sturdy inflated plastic ball or balloon. Sewing leather can be kind of tricky, but you can do it with a bit of practice and a tool called an awl.
For more information on basketballs and the history of the sport, click .
-Tamara
(published on 10/22/2007)