The Table Tennis 49 - ITTF

This American patent, filed in 1889 and granted in 1890,
both answers and poses a question about the development
of the celluloid ball. The Celluloid Novelty Company of New
York was licensed by John W. Hyatt, who developed, named
and patented celluloid. They produced many different products,
such as combs, dental fixtures, fans ... and celluloid
balls.
The excerpt above describes a process for joining the two
halves of the sphere, using a thin binding strip fitted inside
the ball along the seam. The patent is for an improvement
in the joining technique, such that the binding strip cannot
come loose during use. This must have been a tedious
manufacturing process, as a recess in each half sphere had
to be made to accommodate the binding strip.
Especially interesting are several references which prove
that celluloid balls were made well before this patent. First
the text refers to an improvement in their manufacture.
Second, the construction technique is described as “well
known.” Then (beyond the above excerpt) the text mentions
“As these spheres were before commonly constructed ...”
Since an improved celluloid ball was made as early as 1889,
the question remains, exactly when were celluloid balls first
made? After much research I have not been able to find a
patent for the earlier version. The Cup and Ball Tennis game
has dates in the early 1870s, but these may refer to when
the Celluloid Novelty Company was formed.
The examples found in this game are exceedingly rare, the
pioneers that would fulfill a destiny nearly 30 years later.
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