History of Poké Balls
The development of Poké Balls has gone through a number of stages, as evidenced by the ancient and historical variants of the modern Poké Ball that have been seen in the anime.
Ancient history
Pokémopolis
When Dr. Eve was exploring the ruins of Pokémopolis she discovered a number of old artifacts. A handful of these relics contained ancient, giant Pokémon and so can be seen as forerunners to the contemporary Poké Ball. These objects were named by a stone tablet that had inscribed on it the legend of Pokémopolis. The "Unearthly Urn" and accompanying spoon contained a giant Alakazam, which to activate one had to insert the spoon into the Urn. It appeared that the Alakazam could do this autonomously from within the Urn using its psychic powers. The "Dark Device" contained a giant Gengar, it is unknown what initiated it's release. Finally the giant paintbrush that was discovered contained a giant Jigglypuff and was activated by the song of a regular sized Jigglypuff.
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The Unearthly Urn, containing the giant Alakazam -
The Unearthly Spoon -
The Dark Device, containing the giant Gengar -
The paintbrush containing the giant Jigglypuff
Pokélantis
A relic that looks very similar to a contemporary Poké Ball was discovered in the tomb of the King of Pokélantis. It was revealed during the course of Battling the Enemy Within! that it contained the spirit of the King, possibly indicating an alternate use for Poké Balls in ancient times. It was erroneously rumoured that the orb contained a Ho-Oh, which would have made it much more similar to a modern Poké Ball.
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The orb found in the King's tomb
Recent history
Sir Aaron's staff
Featured in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, the crystal in Sir Aaron's staff was used "hundreds of years ago" to contain his apprentice Lucario. This can be seen as a forerunner to the contemporary Poké Ball. The ubiquitous Poké Ball design can be seen in other places in the beginning of the movie, but it is unknown what they relate to.
Giant stone Poké Ball
A giant stone Poké Ball was said in Claydol Big and Tall to have been created "in olden times" by the 'White Sage' to contain a rampaging giant Claydol which had escaped from an identical stone Poké Ball. It was also said in this episode that this event was contemporaneous with the first creation of Claydol, which is cited as taking place around 20,000 years ago. However this was read by Sigourney from an "ancient text" that he had a lot of trouble translating earlier in the episode.
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The giant stone Poké Ball -
The White Sage
The Captain's Poké Balls
In A Shipful of Shivers it was revealed that the Captain kept his Haunter and Gastly inside contemporary looking Poké Balls, approximately 300 years before the present. The old Orange League Winner's Trophy which is also 300+ years old is featured in this episode as well, and appears to be based on a contemporary Poké Ball design.
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300+ year old modern Poké Balls -
The old Winner's Trophy, being held by the Captain
Lokoko's Poké Ball
In Just Waiting On a Friend, Lokoko was the alter-ego of an elderly Ninetales whose Poké Ball was contemporaneous with a diary that was at least 200 years old. While the style of this ball is quite different from the modern Poké Ball, there is a statue in the same 200+ year old mansion which depicts a modern looking Poké Ball.
This Poké Ball differs from its modern descendant in other ways as well. The button is on the top of the ball rather than on the side, as can be seen top right in the picture opposite, also it lacks the internal mirrors that modern Poké Balls have, as can be seen bottom left opposite. It is also extremely fragile, as can be seen bottom right opposite, as it shattered after simply being dropped, which is an everyday occurrence for a modern Poké Ball.
There is a fruit shown twice in the episode which bears resemblance to this Poké Ball, as can be seen top left opposite.
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Lokoko's Poké Ball -
A contemporary statue of a modern looking Poké Ball
Sam's Poké Ball
A Poké Ball with a simple capture mechanism can be seen in Sam's possession in Celebi: Voice of the Forest, 40 years before the present day. It had a red twist top that needed to be turned to release the Pokémon inside. This Poké Ball fits the description provided by Kurt of the basic method of turning Apricorns into Poké Balls by simply hollowing them out and adding a capture mechanism. Judging by the other older Poké Balls seen in the anime, it is unlikely that this Ball is indicative of all Poké Balls 40 years ago. Therefore this Poké Ball may have been homemade, cheaply made, hurriedly made, or come from some other source. Its colour scheme is similar to that of a white Apricorn.
