Times Square Ball has 32,256 LED's from Lighting Science Group

At 11:59 p.m. on Saturday night, the 12-foot ball that will begin its descent from atop One Times Square in New York City, will be powered by 32,256 ultra-efficient LED light bulbs designed by Lighting Science Group.

A beloved New York tradition has been given a 21st century makeover by Lighting Science Group Design Works, which helped create a bigger, brighter yet more energy-efficient New Year’s Eve Ball, the illuminated orb symbolically lowered at the exact turn of the year in Times Square.

This year's New Year's Eve ball weighs 11,875 pounds and is covered in 2,668 Waterford Crystals. It can produce more than 16 million colors and 4.3 billion patterns that create a kaleidoscope effect. The eco-friendly geodesic sphere has become a year-round attraction above Times Square, says Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins.    
 

The 32,256 LEDs (light emitting diodes) are three times the number used in 2009. Still, the present ball is 20% more energy efficient than the 2008 one and 78% more efficient than the 2007 one. It consumes the same amount of energy per hour as two traditional home ovens.

In 1907, the New Year's Eve ball made its maiden descent and has been lowered every year since, except in 1942 and 1943 when the ceremony was suspended due to the wartime "dimout" of lights in New York City. The first ball, made of iron and wood, was 5 feet in diameter and weighed 700 pounds. It had 100 25-watt light bulbs.
   

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