History of the Soccer Ball

Soccer balls have historically been made of any number of materials, ranging from human heads to pig bladders. It was not until the 1800s that the balls began to resemble those currently used.

Rubber Balls

In 1855 Charles Goodyear introduced the first vulcanized rubber soccer ball.

Inflatable Bladders

In 1862 H. J. Lindon developed an inflatable rubber bladder, guaranteeing a ball that would retain its shape throughout a game.

Dimensions

In 1872 FIFA declared that all balls must "be spherical with a circumference of 27 to 28 inches." The rule still remains today in FIFA's laws.

Regulations

Despite rules regarding the circumference of soccer balls, many countries used their own versions, creating problems about which ball to use during international matches. FIFA standardized the size, weight and type of balls in the 1950s to put the arguments to rest.

The Buckyball

The architect Richard Buckminster Fuller designed a synthetic ball while trying to design building materials. The ball consists of 32 panels sewn together and is the baseline model on which all modern soccer balls are designed.

Resources

• Fun facts about soccer balls