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
(published on 10/22/2007)
