Times Square New Year’s Eve ball drop: A brief history of the annual ritual

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

As the clock nears 12:00 a.m., a spectacular ball gracefully descends down a pole, and both on-site participants and millions watching remotely initiate a countdown from 60.

As the clock strikes midnight, jubilation ensues with cheers, frequently accompanied by the exchange of ceremonial kisses among the revelers.

In 2022, Times Square saw the unprecedented absence of crowds for the first time since 1904. While the ball drop faced cancellation for two years during World War II, people continued to gather to honor the tradition and observe a moment of silence.

Throughout the last century, the iconic New Year's symbol, the luminous ball, transformed from a simple iron and wood structure with light bulbs to a spectacular technicolor crystal object.

How did this tradition begin

The origin of the Times Square ball can be attributed to Jacob Starr, a Ukrainian immigrant and metalworker, along with Adolph Ochs, the former publisher of the New York Times.
Ochs had effectively attracted crowds to the newspaper's new skyscraper in Times Square using pyrotechnics and fireworks to ring in the upcoming year. However, the city authorities prohibited the use of explosives after a brief period.

In 1907, Ochs hired Starr from Strauss Signs (later known as Artkraft Strauss, where Starr served as president) to design a novel visual display. Inspired by time balls, popular nautical devices in the 19th century, the concept emerged as a response to the increasing need for precise timekeeping among ship navigators.
Harbors and observatories would daily raise and lower a metal ball simultaneously, providing a standardized method for sailors to synchronize their instruments as