But the article claims you need "state-of-the-art machinery and cutting-edge computerized measurement equipment with pinpoint precision to produce, not to menti

But the article claims you need "state-of-the-art machinery and cutting-edge computerized measurement equipment with pinpoint precision to produce, not to mention the ability to produce the high-quality steel material of which it is made." None of this was available post-WW II, like the advanced steel alloys the article talks about. China's industrial capacity is more advanced than the US's was in the 1950's and if China does not produce those little metal spheres there must be something else at play. My guess would be that thanks to modern production processes, a competitor with older machinery would not stand a chance in the marktplace and investing in the production of those balls is economically not very attractive because margins are already razor-thing. But I'd like to read from someone who actually knows.