The New Year's Eve ball in New York City's Times Square covered with Waterford crystal panels is the Times Square Ball.
The ball-drop tradition began in 1907, but the modern crystal-covered design developed much later. Waterford Crystal began providing panels for the ball in 2000, and later versions used triangular crystal panels with changing patterns associated with themes such as hope, friendship, and harmony.
The ball is lowered from a flagpole atop One Times Square during the final minute of December 31. Its descent lasts 60 seconds and ends at midnight, when the new year begins in the Eastern Time Zone. Millions of people attend or watch the event through television and internet broadcasts.
The ball has changed size, materials, lighting, and decoration several times. It is often confused with the building itself or with the confetti released over Times Square, but the official name is the Times Square Ball. The event was not held in its normal illuminated form during wartime blackouts in 1942 and 1943.