What object has dropped in New York City's Times Square at midnight on New Year's Eve since 1907?

The Times Square Ball has dropped in New York City's Times Square at midnight on New Year's Eve since 1907.

The first ball was lowered from a flagpole atop One Times Square on December 31, 1907. Newspaper publisher Adolph Ochs introduced the spectacle to attract attention to the New York Times building and provide a dramatic visual signal for the new year.

The event was suspended during World War II in 1942 and 1943 because wartime blackout rules restricted bright displays. During those years, crowds observed a minute of silence instead, followed by the ringing of church bells.

The ball has changed substantially over time. Early versions were made from iron and wood, while later designs used illuminated panels and, eventually, computer-controlled LED lighting. The modern ball is a large geodesic sphere covered with Waterford Crystal panels, making the annual drop one of the world's best-known New Year's Eve traditions.