New Years Ball

This New Year’s Eve will be the 100th anniversary of the custom of the ball dropping at midnight. It will also be the first time that the ball will be “green” according to environmental specialists. The new outer design of this ball will make it brighter as well as more energy efficient. The new structure also allows it to display 16 million different colors but only 25 vivacious ones will be used for this occasion. It will also be able to display video, such as flickering flames or the rippling stars of the American flag. Because of the new and improved lighting system using L.E.D.’s, they will use 87 percent less watts than the bulbs from last year but they will produce the same amount of light.
Dropping the ball has been a tradition for many years. It started as a way for everyone to synchronize their clocks. “Beginning in the early 1800’s, iron balls were lowered from poles in port at noon each day so sailors could set their clocks and calculate the rate of error of their chronometers.” The ball went through many changes over time, including adding rhinestones to make it more attractive. It used to be lowered the 77 feet in New York City by six men, but now cables run by computers do the hard work. And when the night is over, the ball goes into a vault 50 feet under 1 Times Square to rest beside the previous ball.
I can’t wait until December 31 at midnight so I can be part of the first generation to witness this brilliant and beautiful achievement. Not many people know what to expect, but they know it will be great and something they will never forget. I also think it is great that they are setting an example to everyone that new and improved also means friendly to our planet.