Today's Tidbit... 1935 GoldSmith Sports Equipment Footballs

This is the second of seven articles in a series covering the 1935-36 Fall & Winter GoldSmith Athletic Equipment catalog. Preceding each section of the catalog is a one-page cartoon about the history of that type of equipment, in today's case, football pants.

Click the appropriate link for other stories in the series:

Consulting Staff | Footballs | Shoes | Pants | Jerseys | Helmets | Shoulder Pads | Miscellaneous

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The football cartoon focuses on two topics: the early history of footballs and a recent change to their specifications. Early footballs were inflated pig bladders that were kicked around in various folk games, often with the men from two villages trying to kick the ball into the center of the opposing town. Over time, the bladder became leather-covered, with few players involved in the game. Some game variations allowed players to pick up the ball and run with it, and they tended to use an easier-to-grip oval ball. Those playing kicking games that prohibited carrying the ball preferred a round ball. Likewise, the oval ball proved easier to obtain lift when kicking the ball over the crossbar, while those playing soccer needed limited lift to kick the round ball under the crossbar. (Click images to enlarge)