2016-12-31 Sat

Have you ever wondered how it all began? The tradition, the ball, what is it made up of, etc have been questions people across the globe look answers for. Attending the drop ball on New Year’s Eve is on many people’s things to do before you die list. Well, your search ends here!

Formerly known as Longacre Square, Times Square was renamed in 1904 after The New York Times newspaper moved its headquarters here. The New Year’s Eve celebration began here after Adolph Ochs, the owner of The New York Times decided to celebrate the opening of the new headquarters with fireworks show on 31st December 1904. However, within a few years, Ochs desired an even bigger celebration.

He asked Artkraft Strauss, a sign-making company to build a time ball. The ball made of iron and wood and weighing 700 pounds was lit with 100 light bulbs and measured 5 feet in diameter. It was first dropped on 31st December 1907. Ever since then, the ball has been dropped every year except 1942 and 1943 (blackout years due to World War II).

The ball slowly slides 141 feet down a flagpole over the course of 60 seconds beginning at 11:59 pm. When it reaches the bottom at exactly midnight, a large sign lights up indicating the start of a new year.

The ball has been through different modifications over the years but the current ball was designed in 2007, on its 100th anniversary. Its aluminum skeleton is covered with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles and lit from within by 32,256 Philips Luxeon LED lights; it is 12 feet wide and weighs over 11,000 pounds.

This stamp of Adolph Ochs was first issued on 18th September 1976 for 13 cents. It was designed by Bradbury Thomas based on a photograph of Ochs clicked by S. J. Woolf. Tonight, the ball will be dropped for the 109th time.

See you all in 2017 and wish you a Happy New Year!