The Duke family began manufacturing cricket balls as a cottage industry at Redleaf Hill, Penshurst, Kent, England, around 1760 and continuing until 1841. Having gained the Royal patent for their cricket balls in 1775, Duke &amp; Son made the first-ever six-seam cricket ball, which was presented to the then Prince of Wales and used for the 1780 English cricket season. In 1851, their triple-sewn ball won a prize medal at the Great Exhibition. And in 1881, another Dukes ball won a gold medal at the Melbourne International Exhibition.