Wrecking ball facts for kids
A wrecking ball is a very heavy steel ball. It is used to knock down large buildings. This tool is usually hung from a tall machine called a crane.
A person operating the crane swings the ball. It moves back and forth, much like a pendulum. The wrecking ball works best for tearing down buildings made of masonry, like brick or stone.
How Wrecking Balls Changed
When wrecking balls were first used, they were round. Sometimes, these round balls would get stuck in walls or roofs. To fix this problem, modern wrecking balls are shaped like a pear. This special shape helps them avoid getting stuck.
It is not fully known when the wrecking ball was first invented. However, they were commonly used by the year 1936. Many of them were seen in action in New York City during that time.
Modern Demolition Tools
Today, wrecking balls are not used as often for demolition. Newer and more effective tools have largely replaced them. One of these modern tools is the High reach excavator.
Think of a long-reach excavator as a very precise tool, like a scalpel. In comparison, a wrecking ball is more like a large mallet. Excavators can work more carefully and efficiently than a wrecking ball.
Images for kids
-
Wrecking ball at rest
In Spanish: Bola de derribo para niños
