"The Ball Drop tradition dates to 1904, with the first ball dropped in 1907. Built by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob Starr, the 700-pound (318-kilogram), 5-foot- (1.5-meter) diameter ball was made of iron and wood and featured 100 25-watt light bulbs. The only years when no ball drop occurred were 1942 and 1943, when the city instituted a nightly "dimout" during World War II to protect itself from attacks. Crowds instead celebrated the new year with a moment of silence followed by chimes rung from the base of One Times Square."
"The New Year's Numeral will light when the ball drops. The four numerals use a total of 594 new LED pucks: the numeral "2" contains 145 LED pucks, the "0" contains 164 LED pucks, the second "2" contains145 LED pucks, and the "6" contains 140 LED pucks. For the first time, the numerals will be able to display an array of colors and patterns, and each LED puck will be programmable. These Numerals can match the choreography with the designs on the New Year's Eve Ball."
Thousands gathered in Times Square for the 2026 New Year ball drop with live camera coverage. The Ball Drop tradition began in 1904; the first ball, built in 1907 by Jacob Starr, weighed 700 pounds and featured 100 25-watt bulbs. No ball drops occurred in 1942–43 during a wartime nightly "dimout," when crowds observed a moment of silence and chimes. The Constellation Ball, unveiled last year, measures about 12 feet and weighs nearly 12,000 pounds. The New Year's numerals use 594 programmable LED pucks to display colors and patterns. Over one ton of biodegradable confetti containing submitted wishes will be released at midnight, which also launches the America Gives volunteer initiative.
Read at ABC7 New York
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