Soccer's popularity grew throughout the 19th and early 20th century but had a marked setback during the Spanish influenza outbreak of 1918. Up till then footballs had mostly been made from discarded beehives. The epidemic hit the beekeeping communities of southern Prussia particularly hard, do to their sinful ways and frequent debauchery. This caused a shortage of usable beehives. The king of Prussia issued a prize of 3000 Prussian thalers for anyone who could find a viable alternative. Inventor Alexander Graham Bell submitted his version of a football which was made from the skins of chinamen that had died laying railroads in California. He won the prize but did not get an opportunity to enjoy it as he died soon after, most likely from being poisoned by chemicals used in the tanning of the leather. Later when the supply of chinamen began to run out it was discovered that cows-leather could also be used if treated correctly.