"SUPER°BALL" Closing Celebration

CLOSING CELEBRATION

Saturday, December 28th

7pm-12am

COME DRINK OUR BEER AND SAY FAREWELL TO 

SUPER•BALL

The MINE Factory

201 N. Braddock Ave

(Enter on Meade St.)

Herman "SOY SOS" Pearl

will be DJ'ing as we groove and "Bounce" the night away!

"SUPER•BALL" Family Day - Saturday, December 21, 2013

SUPER•BALL Exhibition Coming to the Burgh! Opening Celebration December 6th 6-10pm!

I.S.S. Holiday Merchandise

Hey Folks,

Here is a new way to have fun with Sphaeralogy and to get the kids interested early.  I.S.S. Memory Game!  Now available in 2 versions.  Fun and entertaining and a great way to sharpen the mind.

Available during December at the Temporary Headquarters of the International Sphaeralogical Society. An exhibition celebrating the ball will be intstalled as well as merchandise and historical materials.

Location :The Mine Factory is located 201 N. Braddock Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15208. 

Dates: December 6-28, 2013 (Extended Run Possible)

See you there!

 - The FOounders

Hypersphaera nova

Hypersphaera nova
Neon Superball

H nova are composed of a rubber of less density than the traditional Super Ball and display a low level translucence that allows light to penetrate the ball and makes it appear to glow.  This apparent luminescence mimics the fluorescence of Neon gas lighting and gives the ball its name.   The textured surface improves the illusion, as hotspots of reflected light are unable to appear on the stippled surface.   Although this specimen demonstrates the  distinct reddish-orange glow of low-voltage neon gas lamps recognizable in advertising signs, the balls can be found in a full rainbow of colors.  Similar to the range of non-reddish-orange lights that can be found - all other colors are generated with the other noble gases or various types of fluorescent lighting - these colored balls are still referred to as "neon".

Photo Courtesy of Lenore M. Edman
www.evilmadscientist.com

Hypersphaera nova
2013
by Henry J. Simonds

A specimen box created for the forthcoming exhibition, Super•Ball, opening December 6, 2013 at the temporary headquarters of the International Sphaeralogical Society, to be located at the Mine Factory in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Photo Courtesy of Henry J. Simonds, ©2013

Vintage UK Super Ball commercial. Featuring the late Tv personality (and sexual predator) Jimmy Savile

Dear Sphaeralogists,

I wish there were no association between our beloved brand and this despicable person, but during the initial launch of the brand in the UK, Jimmy Savile was a beloved and popular TV personality.  History has obviously changed our understanding of the man, but at the time, this was a savvy business partnership.

In any case, here is the commercial from that period.

Sincerely,

The Founders

Epic Slowmo Episode #15 - Superball Extravaganza!

Here is a really great Slow Motion Camera Test on Youtube.  Not quite as epic as the Sony Bravia commercial, but we here at the I.S.S love it.

Enjoy!

- The Founders

Wham-O Firetron Superball Commercial

Another fine vintage Superball Commercial.

***FIRETRON!!!!!***

- The Founders

Fear the Sphere!

"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

Hypersphaera degruyii

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

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!

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.

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

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®.  

Super Ball® Patent

Don;t you just love history?!

Sincerely,

The Founders

I.S.S. Cycling Jerseys - Product Still

Here finally is a picture of the I.S.S. Spinsters' Cycling Jerseys.  Only a few left until the next sponsored cycling event.

- The Founders