What object has descended in Times Square on New Year's Eve since 1907?

The Times Square Ball has descended in Times Square on New Year's Eve since 1907.

The first ball was organized by Adolph Ochs, publisher of The New York Times, to mark the newspaper's new headquarters at One Times Square. It was made of iron and wood, decorated with 100 light bulbs, and measured about 5 feet across.

The descent became an annual tradition after the newspaper's midnight fireworks displays were discontinued. The ball has been redesigned several times, becoming larger, brighter, and more technologically elaborate. The modern version is a geodesic sphere covered with Waterford crystal panels and LED lighting.

A common mix-up is calling it the “ball drop” without distinguishing the object from the event. The ball itself reaches the roof of One Times Square during the final minute of the year.