Holyoke is known as the city where volleyball and, arguably, basketball were invented. There were also game manufacturers, such as the Electric Game Company and the little-known Sho-Sho Products, Inc., the topic for this installment of Holyoke Memories.
Harry Finkel was a former law clerk who started a lampshade business in New York City at the beginning of World War II. The company relocated to Bigelow Street in Holyoke in 1955.
Mr. Finkel had varied interests, including science, space, education, and game inventions. His interviews showed that education, especially space education, was high on his list. Just before World War II, he invented the Sho Sho Punching Bladder, which was a successful game for its time.
In 1960, he unveiled Space Ball, a game played with a 15-inch tubular steel square racket with nylon webbing. A player held the racket at one of the four corners where there was a handle and a space in the netting. Various games, such as baseball, volleyball, badminton, tennis, and handball, could be played using either a ball or a shuttlecock. Educators at Springfield College prepared a descriptive manual.
Manufacturing of Space Ball began in 1961. He planned to send samples of the game to physical education instructors in all 50 states.
A Space Ball Derby was held at the Liberty Street Plaza in Springfield. Nick Cosmos led a delegation of Holyoke Boys Club members to demonstrate the various games.
In April 1961, an advertising agency was hired from Westhampton to develop a promotion plan.
In May 1962, 72 young participants played for 6 teams, and all were provided uniforms. The game was modeled after baseball. The matches were played at Mackenzie Stadium, Springdale Park, and Crosier Field, which were wise choices for their open layouts given the distance the ball would travel off the racket.
Mr. Finkel sponsored a 12-week science course, The Continental Classroom, for nuns at five diocesan schools. Lecturers from American International College, Smith College, and Boston College taught the classes at St. Jerome School. Mr. Finkel supplied the films, textbooks, and supplies for these chemistry and physics lessons.
In the mid-1960s, City Recreation Departments in Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Boston ordered the game for their programs. Military personnel at Robins A.F. B in Georgia were playing Space Ball.
Shades Inc. moved from its 208 Bigelow Street location to the Bailey Wagner building at 254 Appleton Street in October 1969. Lampshade production ended as the business focused on toys and games.
Harry Finkel died in February 1972. His estate listed the assets of the light manufacturing plant for sale in November 1972.
Citations:
Newspapers.com (paid subscription): Citations: Holyoke (Massachusetts) Transcript & Transcript-Telegram; Springfield (Massachusetts) Republican; publication dates are shown.
Color photo Courtesy: ebay.com
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