History of the New Years' Eve Ball
Jonathon Andrews
Celebrating the New Year in Times Square has been a tradition since The New York Times opened a new headquarters in 1903. It was this commemorative celebration that kickstarted the annual celebrations on New Year’s Eve. They launched fireworks each year. But after New York Times owner Adolph Ochs successfully lobbied to have what was then known as “Longacre Square” changed to “Times Square”, he wanted an even bigger spectacle.
In 1907, an electrician was hired to build a lit ball to be lowered down the flagpole on the roof of the Times new headquarters. This first ball was made of iron. It was five feet in diameter, weighed 700 pounds, and dropped one second after midnight. This ball was used until 1920.
The second ball was also five feet, made of iron weighed 400 pounds. The third ball was constructed in 1955. It was made partially of aluminum. It had quite a few renovations over the years before it was replaced for the 1998 celebration.
In 1981 the ball was reimagined as a “Big Apple” to honor the “I Love New York” campaign. (Pictured above)
This ball was upgraded in 1995, to add rhinestones, and a computerized lighting system with strobe lights. This one was used until 1999. (Pictured above)
A new ball was constructed for the arrival of the new millennium. This ball weighed in at 1,070 pounds and was six feet in diameter. It was covered in 504 Waterford Crystal Triangles, there were 168 halogen lights lighting up the outside of the ball. On the inside there were 432 red, blue, green, yellow and clear light bulbs, strobe lights, and spinning mirrors. This ball was used until New Years’ Eve 2006.
A sixth ball debuted for the 100th anniversary of the ball drop. Also manufactured by Waterford Crystal, this ball weighed 1,212 pounds and was also six feet in diameter. This one had LEDs, a computerized lighting pattern, and was able to generate 16.7 million different colors while only consuming the same amount of energy as ten toasters. This ball was only used once and can be seen inside the Times Square Visitors’ Center.
The seventh and current ball was first used New Years’ Eve 2009. It is twelve feet in diameter, and weighs 11,875 pounds. Since this ball is double the previous size, the flagpole also needed to be enlarged. It is now able to rise 475 feet above the street. This ball was renovated to be able to stay on the roof of One Times Square all year round.
Admin. (2017, May 10). Nye history & Times Square Ball. NYE History & Times Square Ball | Times Square NYC. Retrieved December 29, 2021, from https://www.timessquarenyc.org/times-square-new-years-eve/nye-history-times-square-ball
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these photos. Please note that all images and copyrights belong to their original owners. No copyright infringement intended.
