The Times Square Ball was first dropped in 1907 to welcome New Year’s Day.
The first ball was built for the New York Times by sign designer Artkraft Strauss. It replaced a fireworks display that had been used for the newspaper’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The event took place atop the Times Building, now known as One Times Square.
The tradition continued for most years afterward, although the ball was not lowered in 1942 or 1943 because New York City dimmed lights during wartime blackout restrictions. People gathered in Times Square again, but observed a minute of silence instead.
The ball has changed substantially. The original was made of iron and wood and lit with 100 incandescent bulbs; later versions became larger, brighter, and more technologically advanced. The modern Waterford Crystal ball is associated with the annual televised countdown, while the original custom remains a signature New York celebration.