What object has been lowered at New York City's Times Square New Year's Eve celebration since 1907?

The Times Square Ball has been lowered at New York City's Times Square New Year's Eve celebration since 1907.

The first ball was organized by newspaper publisher Adolph Ochs as part of a celebration for the newly completed headquarters of The New York Times. The original illuminated ball was made of iron and wood and measured about 5 feet (1.5 meters) across. It replaced the newspaper's earlier fireworks display.

The event was paused during World War II in 1942 and 1943 because blackout restrictions prevented the usual illumination. The ball returned in 1944, although the crowd observed a minute of silence instead of seeing the illuminated descent.

Modern versions have become much larger and more technologically elaborate. The current ball is covered with Waterford crystal panels and illuminated by thousands of LEDs. It begins its descent at 11:59 p.m. on December 31 and reaches the flagpole base at midnight. It is often confused with the separate New Year's Eve confetti and fireworks traditions in Times Square.