"Super Balls ® encouraged wholesome, boyish, childhood-revisited kind of fun. The only thing to fear was the sphere itself. The ball was so resilient and picked up so much reverse spin that it didn't catch easily. After slamming one into a wall you might have to duck or be struck. Black eyes and welts, about the circumference of a Super Ball ® were common to the fad, but were not enough to dampen enthusiasm."
This is a fun excerpt from on websites historical reference on the Super Ball®.
http://www.ideafinder.com/history/inventions/superball.htm
Enjoy this clever perspective.
- The Founders
Founded in 2011, The International Sphaeralogical Society was created to celebrate the history and dynamism of the Super Ball®. Invented by chemist Norman Stingley in 1965 and sold by the Wham-O Manufacturing Co., the iconic toy has been the subject of fascination and play for almost half a century. The I.S.S. is dedicated to exploring and promoting the allure of this bounciest of balls.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Hypersphaera degruyii
Brain Coral Superball
These duotone spheres appear in a variety of colors, set against a white background. The squiggle pattern undulates around the entire surface and resembles the labyrinthine structure of the grooved brain coral, Diploria labyrinthiformis.
This ball is named in memory of Mike deGruy, the renown filmmaker and marine biologist. In recognition of the critical role that corals play in the health of the marine ecosystem and in dedication to deGruy's life long commitment to the preservation of the world's oceans and the creatures within it, this specimen will forever bare his name.
Photo Courtesy of Lenore M. Edman
www.evilmadscientist.com
Hypersphaera degruyii, 2013
by Henry J. Simonds
A specimen box created for the ongoing project,
Requiem for the Super Ball®, From the exhibition Super•Ball.
Photo Courtesy of Henry J. Simonds, ©2013
Monday, April 1, 2013
Walking Wounded Superball Ottoman
Another great Sphaeralogical Discovery!
Check out this designer's use of balls for a glowing ottoman.
Super Ball Ottoman - Finished Piece
You can also see here his process.
Super Ball Ottoman - Process
Bravo!
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
I.S.S. Merch - Le parapluie de Molly
A commissioned I.S.S. umbrella for Molly
A Clear Yellow Ribbon Cyclone fixed to a store bought umbrella. Acrylic cement and silicone.
A Beauty!
Fun Ideas for Those Sphaeralogical Kiddos
Here's an idea for how you can get your little ones interested in Super Balls from an early age. Add color, style, and good ol' Sphaeralogical fervor to your nursery.
- From the design team at the I.S.S.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
20,000 Bouncy Balls Dropped from Helicopter!
If you've ever wondered what it would be like to drop 20,000 Super Balls out of a helicopter, here's your chance to find out. Frankly, I think you needed to be there. Otherwise, here at the I.S.S, we can appreciate the effort that these students took to promote the fun and adventurous side of science.
Enjoy,
The Founders
Thursday, February 28, 2013
United States Patent Office - The PATENT!
Dear Sphaeralogists,
Here, the Holy Grail! The US Patent Office patent for Norman Stingley's invention, HIGHLY RESILIENT POLYBUTADIENE BALL, now know affectionately as the Super Ball®.
Don;t you just love history?!
Sincerely,
The Founders
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