I was asked this question, and in looking for an answer in a simple search, I was lead here. even though there was not a post I was exactly looking for, I figured I would make one up.

So, why do we do it? when did it start? what was the reason? Why New York?

TIA Dan

-- Dan (danxoo7@yahoo.com), January 02, 2002

Answers

1. i don't know 2. at least since the 1920s 3. i don't know 4. i don't know

aren't i helpful!

-- xavier (xonass@hushmail.com), January 04, 2002.

The first time in NYC was in 1906. The balls are techically called "Time Balls." You can read more about them here:

http://www.usno.navy.mil/millennium/tball.shtml

There was an attempt in the 1980s to replace the ball with an apple but that didn't go over too well.

-- Sara A. (sara@fauve.cc), January 05, 2002.

this is not an answer but i am wondering if n e one of u can help me find out things about the dropping of the ball for my newspaper please...

-- Jessica Tyrell (hearts_kisses_2001@yahoo.com), December 09, 2002.