The Times Square Ball first dropped in 1907 during New Year's Eve celebrations in New York City.
The inaugural drop took place on December 31, 1907, welcoming 1908. Newspaper publisher Adolph Ochs organized the event to draw attention to the newly renamed Times Square and the headquarters of The New York Times.
The original ball was made of iron and wood, decorated with electric lights, and measured about five feet across. It weighed roughly 700 pounds. The display replaced a fireworks show that had been used for earlier celebrations.
The ball drop was suspended during World War II in 1942 and 1943 because wartime blackout rules prohibited bright public displays. A substitute moment of silence followed instead. Modern versions are far larger and technologically more advanced, but the basic midnight countdown tradition remains linked to the 1907 event.