Balls Of Steel: The Myriad Applications Of The Metal Ball Throughout History

Balls Of Steel: The Myriad Applications Of The Metal Ball Throughout History

Steel balls are a good example of an item that is used in an incredibly wide variety of applications, and yet is often totally overlooked. Many people are simply unaware of the popularity of these balls in industry and design. It is rare for one simple design to be used in such a broad range of inventions, and recognizing some of those applications for the first time can be a fascinating experience. In this article we will look at some of the more interesting applications for steel balls, including projectiles, bearings and agitators. Together these form an interesting across-the-board look at the uses of the metal ball throughout history.

Cannon, Artillery and Firearms

We can go back a long way and still run into the venerable metal ball. The ability to produce well-rounded and consistent projectiles was one of the great advances of the ages. Suddenly we had the ability to shoot projectile weapons at much greater distances and with much greater power than ever before, and it all rested on the development of molding and shaping metal balls. They were used in the classic ship's cannon as well as in muskets, which were the dominant battlefield weapon for centuries.

Bearings

Steel balls are perhaps the most important element of all automobiles. This may seem like a bold claim, but it is worth considering where cars and trucks would be without suitable bearings for their wheels. The ability to produce a low-friction, reliable and long-lasting bearing that would stand up to the rigors of higher speeds and heavier loads was one of the most important parts of early automobile design. Today, car engines often use hydraulic bearings instead of balls, but in the early days the crank and camshafts needed ball bearings just like any other rotating machinery. Without accurate bearings, it is possible that human history would have been very different indeed.

Agitators

An agitator is a ball that is used to stir up paint or another similar liquid such as nail polish. Its essential function is to move around inside the container when shook in order to mix the contents more thoroughly. Liquids tend to separate by density if left by themselves, and this often makes them completely unsuitable for use without agitation. Any time you have heard a rattle inside a spray can, you are hearing yet another application of the same invention used for ammunition and automobiles.

Conclusion

It is hard to believe the sheer variety of uses to which steel balls are put. You can find them in almost any kind of application, from artillery to road vehicles to spray cans. The next time you use any item that has moving parts or liquids inside, consider whether you are seeing yet another strand of the long development of the steel ball.

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