Times Square's Shiny New Year's Eve Ball: A Sparkling Tradition

Times Square is getting a shiny new toy for New Year's Eve! This year, the famous ball drop will feature the biggest and brightest ball yet. It's called the Constellation Ball, and it's a whopping 12. 5 feet wide and weighs over 12, 000 pounds. That's a lot of bling! The new ball is covered in 5, 280 Waterford crystals in three different sizes. These crystals are circular, which is a change from the triangular ones used in the past. The organizers say the new design represents positivity and the connection between past, present, and future. The ball drop is a big deal for people celebrating in Times Square and those watching on TV. At 11:59 p. m. , the ball slowly descends a pole while everyone counts down from 60. When it hits midnight, the crowd goes wild, and there's often a lot of kissing happening.The Times Square ball drop started way back in 1907. It was created by a metalworker named Jacob Starr and the former New York Times publisher, Adolph Ochs. Ochs wanted a new way to celebrate after city officials banned fireworks. The first ball was a simple iron and wood cage with light bulbs. Over the years, it has evolved into a high-tech crystal sphere. The idea came from time balls, which were used in the 19th century to help sailors set their chronometers. The ball drop has changed a lot over the years. The first one was lowered by hand and lit up with the new year's numbers. It was a big deal because electricity was still new in many places. The ball drop has always been a symbol of new beginnings and a chance to make resolutions. There have been seven different balls since the first one. The latest update in 1995 made the ball glitzier with rhinestones and computer controls. Even though the technology has changed, the tradition remains a beloved part of New Year's Eve celebrations.