- The Times Square New Year’s Eve ball, used since 2008, has been retired.
- The retired ball will be displayed at One Times Square along with previous versions.
- Past balls were stored in a subbasement, but this one will be preserved for public viewing.
After 17 years of lighting up New Year’s Eve in Times Square, the iconic ball has been retired. Unlike its predecessors, which were stored away, this one will be showcased in a historical exhibit, reports NY Times.
A Final Farewell
The Times Square ball that rang in every New Year since 2008 has been retired. The farewell included a final drop, a red carpet, and a drum section, but no gold watch or retirement gift.
As Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown, stated, “We’re doing better. We’re giving it immortality.”
Why the Ball Was Retired
Described as “antiquated” by Joe Calvano, owner of AMA Electric Sign, the ball’s lighting technology has become outdated.
Featuring nearly 2,700 Waterford Crystal triangles and 700 LED modules, it was revolutionary in 2008 but is now being replaced with a modern version.
A New Home for the Ball
Rather than being stored in a subbasement like past versions, the retired ball will be displayed in a new “time travel history experience” at One Times Square.
The exhibit, set to open in the fall, will showcase previous New Year’s Eve balls, including the mid-century version that was transformed into an apple in the 1980s and covered in rhinestones in the 1990s.
A Symbol of Change
The 2008 ball debuted during the financial crisis, marking an uncertain time.
Reflecting on that moment, Phillips said, “People were pretty freaked out about the future of the world, looking into 2009. The debut of the new ball was quite significant despite the overshadowing.”
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Source: NY Times
