The first Times Square celebration was held in 1904 when the triangular section known as Longacre Square was renamed for The New York Times. There was no ball drop for the 200,000 party goers; there were, however fireworks. It was three years later in 1907 when the first ball dropped down a flagpole at One Times Square. Walter F. Palmer constructed the first ball with iron and wood and added 100 25-watt bulbs. It weighed 700 pounds and measured 5 feet in diameter – substantially more svelte than 2009’s Times Square ball which weighs in at 11,875 pounds and measures 12 feet in diameter.
When did the first ball drop in Times Square?
The first Times Square celebration was held in 1904 when the triangular section known as Longacre Square was renamed for The New York Times. There was no ball drop for the 200,000 party goers; there were, however fireworks. It was three years later in 1907 when the first ball dropped down a flagpole at One Times Square. Walter F. Palmer constructed the first ball with iron and wood and added 100 25-watt bulbs. It weighed 700 pounds and measured 5 feet in diameter – substantially more svelte than 2009’s Times Square ball which weighs in at 11,875 pounds and measures 12 feet in diameter.