Origins of a ceremonial ball drop

Posted: December 29, 2023 at 6:03 am

Holding a ceremonial ball drop to signify a specific moment in time actually dates back to the early 19th century. A time ball was installed at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, in 1833, according to the Times Square official website.  The ball would drop every day at 1 o’clock, allowing nearby boats to synchronize their timing instruments. These time balls soon became common at naval academies and observatories and eventually made their way to the United States, according to the site.

The first ball drop in Times Square

The first Times Square ball drop took place in 1907, according to the website, but Times Square had become the focal point of the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations starting in 1904. The first ball was made of iron and wood. It weighed 700 pounds and was emblazoned with 100 25-watt bulbs, according to the website.

Take a look at this years Ball for 2024!