H. Gahn, of Meriden, Conn., patenting in 1874, his “Gyro Pigeon” target, shaped like a two-bladed propeller wheel.
Glass balls were introduced about 1877.
George Ligowsky's dish-shaped flying targets, or “clay pigeon”, as it was then called, was patented Feb. 24, 1880. The early clay pigeons and American clay bird were made of clay and baked; later targets being made of melted pitch, or asphalt, mingled with gypsum, and formed into moulds which was a much cheaper process.
Interesting stuff here
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...Q/edit?tab=t.0