As you may have noticed, it is almost the New Year! Which means it’s time to wear something stylish and fancy, top it with a paper hat, drink bubbly, and yell numbers at a TV set. Yep. The Times Square Ball drop is right around the corner. In the spirit of thematic posts, here we go. 

(workers constructing the 2008 ball, NY Daily News)

The first ball drop was in 1907, made of iron and wood, covered in one hundred 25 watt bulbs. Built by Jacob Starr, a young metal worker and recent immigrant. One century and four years later: the ball is a geodesic sphere built from aluminum, lit with light emitting diodes, and faced with Waterford crystal. Interestingly each triangle is cut but Waterford’s artisans in an additional theme each year, past years have included Hope for Peace, Hope for Courage, Hope for Unity, and others; this year sees the addition of a Let There be Love design.

(A short and colorful history of the ball. Times Square Ball)

As MUCH as I enjoy the glamor of crystal (and the sentiments of the cut designs in them) and so on, I would be interested to see a ball that represented, both in fabrication and aesthetic, the zeitgeist of the time. Though perhaps with the perspective of history we will find the accuracy in actions taken without self-reflection. (A hand cut crystal ball lit by a variety of commercially available new lighting technologies, a lovely complement.) 

See you next year. With adult beverages as with Science: Safety First!

-MG-