The Times Square ball drop began in 1907 after fireworks were banned at One Times Square.
The New York Times organized the first ball drop to mark the arrival of 1908. The newspaper had moved its headquarters to the newly named Times Building, later known as One Times Square, and had previously celebrated with a large fireworks display. City officials then prohibited fireworks at the site because of safety concerns.
The original ball was made of iron and wood, decorated with electric lights, and measured about five feet in diameter. It weighed roughly 700 pounds. Later versions became brighter, larger, and more technologically sophisticated, eventually incorporating crystal panels and computer-controlled lighting.
The ceremony was suspended during World War II in 1942 and 1943 because wartime blackout rules prevented the usual illumination. A minute of silence replaced the public light display, while the tradition returned afterward.