New Year’s Traditions – How Did They Start?

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

The History ofThe BallDroppingonNew Year’s Eve

Every year as midnight approaches on December 31^st all around the world people stand around their tv to watch fireworks and the infamous ball drop-in Times Square, New York City. Butwhere did this tradition start? Answer:It started as a solution to the hazardof a large firework display. In cities all around the world, the first few seconds of the New Year are marked by fireworks, with the ball drop as an American tradition.

When Standard Time was created, time balls were invented so that sailors could adjust their timepieces while at sea. Using a telescope, sailors would watch the harbor for a time ball to drop at a specified time, usually noon or 1pm.

The first time-ball was installed in Portsmouth, England in 1829, with the U.S. Naval Observatory following suit in 1845. Shortly after, many towns and cities with a port took on the practice. One of these original time balls became an inspiration for a man named Water Palmer, who was the New York Times’ chief electrician. He decided that the timekeeping ritual would be an amazing finale to the city's end of year party.

In 1904 New Year’s Eve celebrations were held at the New York Times building. Previously, crowds would gather at Trinity Church in downtown Manhattan to hear the bells ring at midnight. The New York Times held massive fireworks display at midnight to lure more people North, but this proved to be disastrous when hot ashes rained upon the streets. In lieu of this, the New York Police Department banned fireworks, so it was up to the New York Times owner and publisher Adolph Ochs to find a new light display. He sought to combine the time ball with electricity to create an unforgettable New Year’s Eve event.

Creating The Electronic Time Ball 

Using Palmer’s unique design, Ochs hired the Artkraft Strauss sign company to create a 700-pound ball made of iron and wood. This time ball included 100 25-watt light bulbs attached to the surface. At midnight they released the time ball with a series of pulleys repurposed from the USS New Mexico battleship.

The ball was redesigned periodically as new materials and technology became available. Over decades, iron has been replaced by aluminum and LEDs have replaced incandescent light bulbs. Computer controls were later added in 1995. 

New Year’s Firework Safety Tips

However, you celebrate New Years with friends and family this year, SERVPRO® has a list of firework safety tips to help guide you through the celebration in the safest way possible. 

1. Fireworks that are packaged in brown paper are made for professional displays only. Avoid buying them.
2. Always have anadult handle fireworks, or have an adult supervisor, especially with small children operating sparklers.
3. Stay a safe distance away from fireworks once ignited.
4. Never point or throw fireworks at someone.
5. Never try to re-light fireworks that did not ignite.
6. Always keep a bucket of water or a hose handy in case offire and douse any fireworks with water after they have been set off before discarding them. 
7. Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
8. Never place your body over a firework device when lighting.
9. Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before purchasing or using them.
10. Never shoot fireworks off in a metal or glass container.

SERVPRO® of Augusta South / Burke & Wilkes Counties is open 24/7/365 in case of any emergency fire needs. Give us a callat706-843-1990 if you requireassistancetoday.