Dead Ball era ball comp.?

[MostlyHarmless]

I'm new to this site, and love it so far. I'm glad there are people out there who care enough to record and share this data. Nothing bolsters a (slightly tipsy) barroom argument like a smart-phone and some numbers. Anyway, does anyone know much about the composition of early (dead-ball era and before) baseballs? I can't find much about the topic other than that the pill was rubber instead of cork. My friend and I are thinking of building a throwing machine to see what old-time baseballs do with modern arms. If we can't find enough data out there, we may not bother.

[pobguy]

Anyway, does anyone know much about the composition of early (dead-ball era and before) baseballs?

Here is a link to an article I dug up once: http://webusers.npl.illinois.edu/~a-...evolution.html.

[amer]

Just as the game of baseball has evolved, so has the baseball itself. The baseball has been altered at least five times throughout the history of the game. This has led to many conspiracy theories about the composition of the baseball changes and the belief that the ball was again altered for the 2011 season. However, according to Major League Baseball's Pat Courtney "There has been no change whatsoever in the composition of the baseball or process in which they are made."
merchant account

[runner21]

What's the difference of the past few balls throughout the years? I think there is no clear difference between any of the balls used in baseball since the only presiding thought needed for a baseball is that it should be "filled" and not aired to create momentum. Or am I wrong?