Today's ball is much different from the first one in 1907.Noam Galai / Getty
- The US celebrates New Year's Eve by watching the Times Square ball drop, but the ball hasn't always looked the same.
- The tradition started in 1907, and the ball was originally made of iron and wood.
- After six redesigns, today's ball weighs 11,875 pounds, is made of LED lights, and is adorned with crystals.
While some countries set off fireworks and smash plates to welcome the new year, the US turns to Times Square to celebrate New Year's Eve.
The Times Square ball drop has been a tradition for over a century and has always symbolized new beginnings and a fresh start. But the ball itself has changed dramatically over its 113-year history. It once weighed a mere 150 pounds, but now clocks in at an astonishing 11,875 pounds.
This year, there will be yet another dramatic change to the tradition: Times Square will be closed to the public on New Year's Eve due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the ball will still be the star of the show.
Keep reading to learn how the Times Square ball has changed over time while the tradition has stayed alive.
Before dropping a ball in Times Square, people would gather downtown at a church to ring bells.
New Year's celebrations originally took place at Trinity Church.
New York Public Library
Prior to the 1900s, Americans celebrated the new year by gathering outside Trinity Church near Wall Street in Manhattan. When the clock struck midnight, bells would chime and people celebrated the new year on the steps of the church. The church's bells would "ring out the old, ring in the new."
Everything changed when The New York Times Company moved uptown to 46th Street and Broadway. As a way to lure more people uptown, the company started a fireworks display on New Year's Eve.
The first Times Square ball dropped in 1907 and was made of iron and wood.
The first ball dropped in Times Square in 1907.
Library of Congress
In 1920, the ball was redesigned and made of wrought iron.
At the start of the roaring '20s, a less heavy ball replaced the original iron and wood one. The new ball weighed 400 pounds and was made of wrought iron, according to the Times Square Alliance.
In 1942 and 1943, no ball was dropped in Times Square due to the war.
New York held a wartime "dim-out" in 1942.
Tom Fitzsimmons/ AP
In 1955, the ball was recreated and made entirely of aluminum.
Russ Brown, superintendent of One Times Square, in front of the aluminum ball.
AP
The aluminum ball was transformed into an apple during the 1980s.
The ball was turned into an apple in 1981.
AP
The aluminum ball was affixed with red light bulbs and a green stem to resemble an apple in 1981. The new ball was part of an "I Love New York" marketing campaign. For seven years until 1988, people celebrated by watching the apple drop from the Times Tower.
When the campaign ended, the ball returned to its white light bulbs along with a few upgrades.
The ball in 1995.
Bebeto Matthews/ AP
At the turn of the century, the Times Square ball was completely transformed and redesigned using crystals.
Times Square ball in 2000 is adorned with crystals.
Lynsey Addario/ AP
In 2007, the ball was upgraded with LED lights.
The ball was given LED lights in 2007.
Tina Fineberg/ AP
This year's ball is expected to be another showstopper despite major changes to the tradition.
This year's ball getting a facelift.
Anadolu Agency / Getty