"Sport Balls" Program to Air on The History Channel in January
HOPKINSVILLE, Kent.
With more than 100 years of business under its belt, Ebonite International has certainly seen the effects of time and technology on the manufacturing of bowling balls. Recently, Ebonite and Hammer were given the unique opportunity of profiling the growth and changes in bowling ball manufacturing as part of a television segment for "Modern Marvels," a technology focused show which airs on The History Channel.

In November, a production team from the show traveled to Ebonite International's manufacturing facility in Hopkinsville, Kent. for an in-depth look at the manufacturing process of balls from both the Ebonite and Hammer brands.

"Most people outside of our industry cannot imagine how complicated the bowling ball manufacturing process actually is," said Bob Reid, vice president of marketing. "It's not as simple as pouring a solution in a mold, letting it dry and being able to walk out and bowl strikes. I definitely think their team was impressed with what our research and development team was able to demonstrate and also to see the plant production firsthand.

"To the untrained eye, the process is very unique and that's what they want to show their viewers with this segment, how chemistry, machinery and hands-on manufacturing create the bowling balls we use today."

The hour-long segment, scheduled to air January 17 at 10 p.m. EST on The History Channel, will show the evolution of several sports balls through the ages, including Penn tennis balls, Wilson footballs, Rawlings baseballs and Callaway golf balls. The bowling segment with Ebonite International includes the manufacturing side of the business as well as the actual demonstration of various balls cores and coverstocks on the lanes. Ebonite BowlersMAP™ was also used to demonstrate the performance characteristics of certain balls from the Ebonite and Hammer lines.

Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit www.ebonite.com or www.hammerbowling.com.