It is generally accepted that the game of snooker was invented by Birmingham-born Colonel Sir Neville Chamberlain in Jabalpur, or Jubbulpore, as it was known at the time, in Madhya Pradesh, India in 1875. At that time, despite its obvious limitations – brittleness, porosity and proneness to yellowing, to name but three – elephant tusk ivory was still the material of choice for snooker balls.
The first synthetic plastic, celluloid, was so dubbed by American Isaiah Hyatt in 1872, two years after he and his brother, John Wesley Hyatt, patented a process for making what they described as a ‘horn-like material’ made from camphor and nitrocellulose. Tough, flexible, mouldable, water-resistant and inexpensive to produce in a variety of colours, celluloid was, in many ways, an ideal material for snooker balls. However, celluoid is also highly flammable, such that, occasionally, one snooker ball striking another produced a ‘mild explosion’.
Modern, high-quality snooker are made from synthetic, thermosetting plastic resins, obtained by reacting phenol, a.k.a. phenolic acid, with formaldehyde. The resulting ‘phenolic resin’ becomes irreversibly hardened, or ‘cured’, when exposed to heat and high pressure, such that it can be cast into the desired shape in latex moulds. Phenolic resin can be pre-coloured before casting, rather than painted or varnished afterwards, so the end result is a finish that is resistant to abrasions, chips and scratches, yet can easily be polished to a high shine.
Furthermore, phenolic resin has what is known, technically, as homogenous density distribution, which means that each snooker ball is uniform throughout and has its centre of gravity at its precise geometric centre. Once cast, the balls are lathed to ensure that they are perfectly spherical and free from imperfections, measured and weighed to tight tolerances, according to official specifications and packed into sets of 22 ready for shipping.
Novak Djokovic etches his name in tennis history as the trailblazer who shattered the $100 million barrier in career prize money, a groundbreaking achievement that reverberated through the sport. On that fateful day, June 1, 2016, Djokovic unleashed his prowess against Roberto Bautista Agut in an exhilarating clash at the French Open, catapulting his career earnings to an awe-inspiring $100,001,655.
Djokovic’s impact extends far beyond his financial triumphs, transcending the boundaries of the tennis court. With an astonishing tally of 20 Grand Slam singles titles—a testament to his drive and relentless pursuit of excellence—he solidifies his place as one of the most eminent figures in the Open Era. His indomitable spirit has propelled him to unprecedented heights, reigning as the world No. 1 for an astonishing 373 weeks.
Yet, Djokovic’s dominance transcends mere on-court success. His financial prowess has skyrocketed, reaching unprecedented levels of prosperity. A symphony composed of lucrative prize money, lucrative endorsements, appearance fees, and a myriad of sponsorships has harmonised to yield a breathtaking fortune. Estimates place his career earnings well above the stratospheric threshold of $200 million, cementing his position as one of the most affluent athletes to grace the global stage.
Djokovic’s ascent to the summit of the $100 million prize money pot is a testament to his resolve, a commitment to his craft that has withstood the test of time. His journey serves as a luminous beacon of inspiration, illuminating the path for aspiring tennis virtuosos worldwide. It echoes the resounding truth that the pursuit of greatness demands a dedication, unfathomable talent, and an insatiable hunger for success.
In the thrilling world of men’s 100-metre sprinting, one name shines brighter than the rest, evoking a sense of awe and disbelief. Usain Bolt, the Jamaican speedster, stamped his indelible mark on the sport at the 2009 World Athletics Championships in Berlin. Bolting towards the finish line with astonishing swiftness, Bolt shattered records and the limits of human potential, clocking an extraordinary time of 9.58 seconds. This remarkable feat remains untouched, a testament to Bolt’s unmatched skill and unmatched speed.
For over 13 years, Bolt’s world record has stood tall, impervious to the relentless pursuit of aspiring sprinters. Widely acclaimed as the epitome of sprinting greatness, Bolt’s reign transcends the boundaries of mere achievement. He earned his place in history by capturing three consecutive Olympic gold medals in the 100 metres, an unparalleled feat that cements his legacy as the undisputed sprinting legend of our time.
Not only did Bolt dominate the Olympic stage, but he also exhibited his supreme versatility in the World Championships. Claiming gold in the 100 metres, he went on to triumph in the 200 metres and anchored the 4×100 metres relay to victory, a feat that no other sprinter has achieved in the record of track and field. Bolt’s ability to excel across these disciplines further cements his status as a true icon of the sport.
As the years pass, Bolt’s record remains untouchable, a testament to the extraordinary burst of speed and sheer determination he embodied. The mark he left on the sport serves as a constant source of inspiration, pushing aspiring athletes to defy limits and chase their own dreams of greatness. Usain Bolt, the name forever remembered in the chronicles of sprinting, continues to stand as a towering figure, a symbol of human potential unleashed on the track.
In the world of golf, there’s a story that has become a legendary tale of skill and excitement. It’s about Gene Sarazen, a remarkable player, who made a double eagle on the 15th hole at Augusta National during the final round of the 1935 Masters Tournament. Let me take you back to that thrilling moment.
At the time, Sarazen was trailing Craig Wood by three strokes. But with one incredible swing of his 4-wood, he sent the ball flying through the air, covering an impressive distance of 235 yards. And then, with perfect precision, the ball landed on the green and rolled straight into the hole. It was an albatross, also known as a double eagle. The crowd erupted in cheers and amazement.
That incredible shot changed everything. Sarazen’s tie with Wood forced a playoff, and ultimately, he went on to win the tournament. It became a moment that people still talk about today.
Sarazen’s double eagle on the 15th hole is often called the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World.” It had a lasting impact on the Masters Tournament, bringing renewed excitement and interest to the event. In addition, Sarazen’s shot popularised the use of the 4-wood, a club that wasn’t commonly used before.
The 15th hole at Augusta National is a challenging par-5, measuring 520 yards. It’s considered one of the most important holes in the tournament. Sarazen’s remarkable achievement reminds us that in golf, as in life, anything is possible. It’s a story that continues to inspire golfers and fans alike, showing us the magic and thrill that can be found on the greens.
A curious incident unfolded that left David Beckham sporting a conspicuous cut above his eye following a game. The circumstances that led to this unforeseen injury stemmed from a moment of frustration and ill-timed trajectory.
The episode occurred in the aftermath of Manchester United’s FA Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal in 2003. In the heat of disappointment, Sir Alex Ferguson, known for his fiery demeanour, impulsively unleashed a kick of frustration, inadvertently propelling a football boot into the path of Beckham’s head.
The dressing room, typically a sanctuary away from the trials of the pitch, bore witness to this unforeseen collision. Beckham, caught off guard by the misfortune, found himself in need of stitches to mend the cut inflicted by the boot. Nevertheless, displaying resilience and commitment, he valiantly returned to the field for the subsequent match, defying the setback.
While Beckham’s injury ultimately proved minor in the grand scheme of his illustrious career, it stood as a sobering reminder of the potential hazards inherent in the pursuit of professional football. The physical and mental strains endured by players amplify the likelihood of missteps when faced with intense pressure.
Beckham, a stalwart in the world of football for over two decades, graced the highest echelons of the sport with his talent and triumphs. However, this incident underscored that, at his core, he remained a fallible human being, susceptible to errors. The cut on his head bore testimony to the delicate balance between greatness and vulnerability that defines the human experience within the realm of football and beyond.