Which company made the original Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball used in 1907?

Artkraft Strauss made the original Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball used in 1907.

The original ball was constructed by Artkraft Strauss, a company known for producing illuminated signs and displays. It was lowered from a flagpole at One Times Square on December 31, 1907, to welcome 1908.

The first ball was far simpler than the modern sphere. It was made from iron and wood, measured about five feet in diameter, and was illuminated by electric lights. Its successful introduction established the ball drop as the centerpiece of the Times Square celebration.

Artkraft Strauss is sometimes confused with Waterford Crystal, which later supplied crystal panels for newer versions of the ball. The Times Square Ball has undergone multiple redesigns, including changes to its size, lighting, and decorative materials, but the original manufacturer remains part of the event’s early history.