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Sponge balls
Sponge balls, made of sponge rubber or polyurethane foam and usually about 2 inches in diameter are a common prop used in many sleight of hand routines.[1]
One of the first routines was published by Jesse L. Lybarger in 1926.[2] Also in 1926, Joe Berg introduced his Cups and Balls Routine wherein he made use of balls made of sponge instead of the usual cork. [3]
Al Stevenson devised a process for making perfect spheres from the polyurethane foam and later Albert Goshman improved the process.
Noted specialists in sponge ball magic are Audley Walsh, Frank Garcia and Frances Marshall.
[Roy Benson]] used sponge balls for his Benson Bowl routine.
Other shapes have also been used including rabbits.
Publications
- The Phantom Balls by Lybarger, Linking Ring Vol 5, No. 2 (Oct. 1926)
- AUDLEY WALSH'S SPONGE BALL ROUTINE (1936)
- Garcia on Sponge Balls