The Biggest Ball of Twine by One Man?

Earlier I talked about the variations of “Biggest” ball of twine. Minnesota claims the biggest while the Wisconsin version is listed online as the heaviest. They are definitely different.

Minnesota’s was done by a single man for 29 years back in 1950-1979. The Wisconsin one is still being worked. James Frank Kotera (he emphasizes that he is JFK), started his back in 1980 and has been working on his for 38 years now.

Minnesota’s is in a glass display case. The Wisconsin one is still being worked on in JFK’s back yard under a roof with no walls and can be touched.

 Minnesota’s is wound the way you would a small ball. The top seems like someone just draped the twine. JFK has developed a linking pattern so that it is tight and won’t come loose.

There are a lot of issues with comparing the sizes of the two balls. Some of the numbers online don’t make sense. So here’s my best guess based on online numbers, signs, calculations, JFK’s weight calculation (he weighs the twine before putting it on), and estimates from pictures. These balls are not round so these are rough and the Wisconsin ones are based on the ball on 9/14/18.

Minnesota – 17,000 pounds – 40’ circumference – 12.7’ diameter – 11’ height

Wisconsin – 23,250 pounds – 36’ circumference – 11.5’ diameter – 8’ height

These say that, yes, Minnesota’s is the biggest but Wisconsin’s is the heaviest and is still growing.

We discussed the Kansas ball that was made by a town, but JFK dismissed that one since this was done by one man. He mentioned he stops work when it is too cold (this is northern Wisconsin!) and when there are too many mosquitoes. He said he’s had people from London England and all over the states visit him. It is rather weird stopping at someone’s yard to see a ball of twine, but he is very proud of his work and happy for visitors. Plus, as he told us, he’s “having a ball”.