Trying to replace Ivory cue balls spawned the celluloid composite pool balls

[Rusty in Montana]

Never a dull moment ! Ha ha

An Interdisciplinary Study of 19th Century Billiard Balls: An Effort to Replace Ivory Spawned Celluloid Composite Materials

Increased billiard ball production in the 19th century created an unsustainable demand for ivory. Given the tight tolerance for the mechanical properties required for the balls, together with an uncertain supply of ivory, a necessity for alternate materials was recognized for the emerging pastime.

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[mr3cushion]

Never a dull moment ! Ha ha

An Interdisciplinary Study of 19th Century Billiard Balls: An Effort to Replace Ivory Spawned Celluloid Composite Materials

Increased billiard ball production in the 19th century created an unsustainable demand for ivory. Given the tight tolerance for the mechanical properties required for the balls, together with an uncertain supply of ivory, a necessity for alternate materials was recognized for the emerging pastime.

www.linkedin.com

Rusty, did you know that the 'Red ball' in a set of ivory 3 cushion balls was dyed with Ox blood and Muriatic acid.

 

[Rusty in Montana]

I can only imagine how well that would work , blood is quite a dye for some situations ..
And in all honesty no I didn't know that , thank you for sharing !