Lessons Learned on the Farm

• Oct. 11, 2009 - How Bowling Balls Are Made

Visiting a factory to see how bowling balls are made may sound like about as much fun as watching paint dry,but you'd be surprised! There is an incredible amount of physics and chemistry involved in creating bowling balls and our homeschool group got to learn all about it while visiting the Ebonite factory.

Ebonite creates over 70% of the bowling balls sold all over the world. Last year they put out over 800,000 bowling balls, but some years they have put out well over a million balls. It was very interesting to learn about the science which makes different styles of bowling balls better for different bowlers.

I thought that bowling balls were supposed to roll straight and the ones for "social bowlers" are. BUT once bowlers start getting competitive, they want their bowling balls to give them an advantage - they want to "hit the pocket" with "maximum force" and such things like that.

That's what makes the core so important. Bowling a perfect strike starts with the core.

I found some really great videos online that explain more about the science and process behind how they make bowling balls at Ebonite. Here's Part 1 and Part 2.

Now, while I thought picking the right bowling ball was all about having one that matched your outfit, I learned that the paint on the ball serves as much more that "just" decoration.

In fact, the colors on it, are SO much more than just paint. It's a special plastic coating designed to give the ball just the right amount of traction on the lane and giving the bowler more control. See those little blue cups in this pic?

That coating is going through a really nifty chemical reaction. It is so viscous that it starts gelling practically as you pour it. The people at Ebonite really know their stuff. They each do their jobs quickly and precisely to keep production flowing at the perfect pace. Bowling actually has the most participants of any sport, so they have to keep things moving!

And once the ball is checked and double checked, they finish it up with engraving and polishing. It's kind of like a spa treatment for the ball.

Aren't you glad to know that the balls are so well cared for?

These kids are!

It was a fabulous day at the Ebonite plant and we really appreciated them taking the time to show us around their plant and to answer all of our questions.

From the youngest to the oldest, we all had a great time.

And learned a lot about science too!

Comments

• Oct. 12, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by AnnieKate

That sounds like so much fun! I never would have guessed that making bowling balls was a big deal.

Annie Kate

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• Oct. 12, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Becky

That is sooo cool!
My kids would LOVE that!.
They love the TV show "How it's Made".

http://apeekinsideourworld.blogspot.com/

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• Oct. 14, 2009 - music

Posted by Anonymous

Thanks so much for sharing so much of yourself and your life on your blog! I went to look at the craft ideas the other day, and the bowling things today! The best part, you really blessed my morning with your song playlist. I really needed to hear the songs that you chose!

Thanks again!

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• Oct. 15, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Posted by dawnrising

COOL field trip!

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• Oct. 25, 2009 - Field Trip

Posted by basketflat

What a fun field trip. I'd be curious about the holes in the ball as well. We went bowling lately and I didn't do very well. I'm blaming in on the fact that I had to use a man's ball because my fingers are big, but I'm not really sure.

Cathy

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