Who Invented the Soccer Ball?

Charles Goodyear is regarded as the inventor of the modern soccer ball, which was invented in 1855. At that time there was no comprehension of real money online slots. He was an American who discovered the natural rubber material known as gum elastic during the 1830s.

He was the one who gathered all the necessary information about natural rubber by reading every newspaper article about it. At the same time, some products made by the local company known as the Roxbury Rubber Company caught his attention.

After visiting the company’s factory, he saw that some of its products were very useful, such as inflation tubes for life preservers. After returning home, he decided to make several tubes on his own to demonstrate them to Roxbury’s manager.

Due to the poor quality of the products made by the company, many of them were returned, and the products were then destroyed. A self-taught manufacturing engineer, he developed the process of rubber vulcanization.

Goodyear’s life goal: develop stable and durable rubber

Goodyear dedicated his life to improving the quality of rubber. He tried different methods and combinations to create a more stable and durable rubber.

Furthermore, he tried his hand at making various types of rubber goods, such as rubber shoes. Unfortunately, he could not find a way to develop a stable and durable rubber.

Goodyear invents vulcanized rubber

After many failed attempts, he finally succeeded in developing a type of rubber known as vulcanized rubber.

His breakthrough happened in a small factory that was owned by his brothers Henry and Nelson.

He continued to improve his process until it was v safe to receive a patent for it. On June 15, 1844, he was able to secure a patent for his invention. Years later, he invented the first soccer ball.

History of the Soccer Ball

People would often say that the history of the football ball dates back to the beginning of times. The game, which is commonly referred to as soccer, has been played all across the world since the very beginning.

First Official Soccer Ball Size and Shape

The size and shape of the soccer ball were determined by the pig bladder’s size and shape. There were no rules about the size and shape of the ball.

Thanks to the innovation of Charles Goodyear, it was now possible to produce balls with the same size and shape. This gave the official dimensions of the ball a fitting shape.

The first official rules of the game were established by the English Football Association in 1863. During the meeting where the rules were established, nothing was said about the ball’s size or shape.

In 1872, the English Football Association officially changed the rules of the game by announcing that the ball should be spherical and have a circumference of 27 to 28 inches and weigh around 16 ounces at the start of a match.

The size of the soccer ball remains the same as it was when FIFA implemented the new rules. The ball’s dimensions were established to coincide with the invention of the rubber soccer ball by Charles Goodyear.

Modern Period of Soccer & Its Soccer Ball

Following the formation of the English Football League in 1888, the mass production of leather balls started. Despite the innovation of Charles Goodyear, leather balls were still widely used throughout the 1800s.

At the start of the English Football League, two companies, Thomlinson’s and Mitre, started mass-producing soccer balls. They noted that the significant element in the quality of the ball had to  maintain its shape during match.

The most skilled individuals were involved in the production process, and the most enduring leather was applied. 

The rump of cow was selected as the best leather for the balls, while the leather from the shoulder was used for the lower-quality ones. 

During this period, the use of interlocking panels instead of leather sections on the outer surface of the ball led to the development of balls with a more rounded shape. During this period, soccer balls were made of various types of leather.