This is the patent application for an improvement in baseballs, from Benjamin Shibe of Bala, Pennsylvania.
Benjamin F. Shibe, one of the original owners of the Philadelphia Athletics and for whom Shibe Park in Philadelphia was named, patented a cork-centered baseball on June 15, 1909. Use of this ball in all 1911 games led to powerful hits that went farther and longer. Shibe, as noted in his patent, had simply wanted increased strength and durability for his baseballs. Referred to as the “Edison of Baseball,” Benjamin F. Shibe received many patents related to baseballs.
This document, from the Records of the Patent and Trademark Office now held at the National Archives, was featured in “Baseball: The National Pastime in the National Archives,” a free eBook from the National Archives.
Now I know who to blame for all the home runs I gave up in college.