The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop, one of the world’s most celebrated New Year’s Eve traditions, commenced in 1907 at One Times Square in New York City. The inaugural event was orchestrated by Adolph Ochs, the owner of The New York Times, who sought to create a spectacular celebration to mark his newspaper’s recent relocation to Times Square. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about the origins of this iconic ball-dropping event.
Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop: All To Know About It
According to an article that was recently published by The Times Of India or TOI, the original time ball was crafted by Artkraft Strauss. It was a relatively modest affair — a sphere of five feet, constructed of wood and iron. It was illuminated by 100 incandescent bulbs.
This design was inspired by the maritime tradition of time balls, which were dropped at ports at precise times to help ships calibrate their chronometers. Throughout its century-long history, the celebration has been staged annually, with only two notable exceptions: 1942 and 1943.
During these years, the event was suspended due to wartime blackout restrictions during World War II. The ball itself has undergone seven major transformations, evolving from its humble beginnings to today’s magnificent crystal masterpiece.
How This Tradition And The Ball Has Evolved Over The Years
The current ball, measuring 12 feet in diameter and weighing 11,875 pounds or 5386 kg, is a testament to technological advancement. It features 2,688 Waterford crystal triangles and is illuminated by more than 32,000 LED lights, creating a dazzling spectacle visible across Times Square.
The time-honoured ritual begins at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on New Year’s Eve when the ball begins its 60-second descent down a specially designed flagpole atop One Times Square. This precisely timed drop culminates at midnight, marking the start of the new year.
The event’s organisation has evolved as well, now jointly managed by the Times Square Alliance and Countdown Entertainment, under Jeff Strauss’s leadership.
Have you ever witnessed this iconic celebration in person? Let us know in the comments section below!
Cover Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
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