Benji Williams Is on an Elastic Quest

The Arizona native was six years old when his teacher pulled a rubber band ball out of her desk drawer and gave it a bounce. Where most kids saw a classroom toy, Benji saw a challenge. He went home, started a ball of his own, and never stopped.

Eighteen years later, that childhood project has become a 3,780-pound behemoth... heavier than his car! Benji has documented its growth every step of the way, and his sights are set on something even bigger: the world's largest rubber band ball.

He's no stranger to the competition. In 2011, Benji made the trip to the Ripley's warehouse to see the reigning champ in person. To claim the title, his ball will need to top 9,400 pounds, meaning he has more than 5,600 pounds of rubber bands left to stretch, wrap, and snap into place.

From office-chair engineering to the anatomy of the perfect band, Ripley's caught up with Benji to check in on his progress.

Featured Interview: Benji Williams

Ripley's: What sparked your interest in creating rubber band balls?

Benji: When I was six years old, my first-grade teacher pulled out a rubber band ball from her desk and started bouncing it. I wanted to make my own—but much bigger. At that point, I was hooked and my hobby was set. I have been adding to the ball ever since.

Ripley's: What are some challenges you face when adding to the ball?

Benji: Putting rubber bands on the ball is hard because of how big it is. I use an office chair to help hold the rubber band while I pull it over the ball. Without the chair or help from another person, there is no way for me to put the rubber band on without it slipping off.

Ripley's: What makes the perfect rubber band?

Benji: A good rubber band has no seam lines and is not glued together. It needs to be a continuous loop with no lines or any surface marks on it.

Ripley's: How often does a band break?

Benji: The rubber bands I use rarely break. I usually check the rubber band to make sure it does not have any weak spots before placing it.

The Ball Keeps Rolling

With a 22,000-pound dream and no finish line in sight, Benji isn't just chasing a title; he's building a lifelong legacy, one band at a time. Something tells us we haven't heard the last snap.

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