Facts About The New Year’s Eve Crystal Ball To Be Dropped In Times Square

Believe it or not, New Year's Eve celebrations began in Times Square back in 1904. Before 1907, people just partied without the big dropping ball. The ceremonial ball drop, now known as the Waterford Times Square Ball, has captivated millions of people around the world since 1907 and now symbolizes America. Here are some amazing facts about the Times Square Ball that are amazing. 

Seventy-three steps up from the building's 21st floor is the rooftop where the ball rests on top of the roof's metal grate floor. Dozens of heavy black wires taped together flowed from the ball to unknown power sources. Although it may seem like a forgettable detail, those wires are instrumental to illuminating the ball's 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles of various sizes. The triangles, attached to the ball's aluminum frame, are lit by over 30,000 LED lights. Before LED Technology, it took a whole lot of light bulbs to make the ball glow.

I did not know this fact, but each year the ball, which weighs nearly 12,000 pounds and is 12 feet in diameter, has a theme.

According to ABC NEWS, "This year's theme is The Gift of Wonder," Waterford Master Artisan and spokesman Tom Brennan told ABC News. "So this year's theme is all about the greatest gifts within us all; human kind's desire to explore what's out there. It's about reaching for the stars and never giving up."

ABC News also states that "Brennan said that over 100 people are part of the process to create the ball, from engineers to artisans to electricians. He added that they have a few rituals to ensure the ball drops without any hesitation".

"We cross our fingers and then we hold hands and then we say a prayer to the gods," he detailed, "and, thankfully, it has worked in the past."

On the 20th floor of the One Times Square building, engineers are laying out the wires for the fireworks that will accompany the ball's drop. The actual fireworks won't actually be laid out until Thursday.

"A billion people on the planet watch as that ball drops," Brennan told ABC News. "It's a million people in Times Square and they're celebrating. They're holding their loved ones tight."

This year, you can watch the ball drop on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest" on ABC. Musical entertainers will include Carrie Underwood. Luke Bryan and more.

Happy New Year and think of these little facts between your countdown and celebrations this year.