Celluloid Billiard Ball
Object Details
- Description
- This billiard ball, a gift of the Celanese Corporation, is made of cellulose nitrate, a substance eventually known as "celluloid." John Wesley Hyatt, a printer, was encouraged to develop the new substance when he saw an ad offering $10,000 to the person who invented a usable substitute for ivory in billiard balls. Hyatt eventually achieved success with his new material, forming the Celluloid Manufacturing Co. in 1871, but never received the $10,000 award.
- The ball is mounted on a walnut stand with a silver label stating, "Made in 1868 of Cellulose Nitrate, Celluloid. The Year John Wesley Hyatt Discovered This First Plastics Resin."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- Gift of Celanese Plastic Company
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- Date made
- 1868
- ID Number
- CH.334572
- accession number
- 310799
- catalog number
- 334572
- inventor
- Hyatt, John Wesley
- originator
- Hyatt, John Wesley
- Object Name
- billiard ball
- Celluloid Billiard Ball
- Physical Description
- plastic, resin, celluloid (overall material)
- wood, walnut (overall material)
- wood; celluloid; silver plated metal (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 13 cm x 14 cm x 9 cm; 5 1/8 in x 5 1/2 in x 3 9/16 in
- base: 75 mm x 34 mm; x 2 15/16 in x 1 5/16 in
- billiard ball: 57 mm; x 2 1/4 in
- overall: 5 1/8 in x 5 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in; 13.0175 cm x 13.97 cm x 8.89 cm
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Chemistry
- Sports & Leisure
- Industry & Manufacturing
- Record ID
- nmah_2947
