From: bowman@montana.com   
      
   On Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:28:07 -0500, redacted wrote:   
      
   > On 12/31/25 11:02, Ed P wrote:   
   >> The tradition continues and a new ball in Times Square tonight.   
   >>   
   >> This is from USA Today   
   >>   
   >> The Constellation Ball for 2026 is the largest one yet, measuring 12.5   
   >> feet in diameter and weighing 12,350 pounds.   
   >>   
   >> Organizers said the ball also 'features new modernized technology, with   
   >> state-of-the-art lighting, motion, and control system, as well as a new   
   >> signature sound and interactive capabilities.'   
   >>   
   >> On New Year’s Eve, the massive shimmering ball will be lowered at Times   
   >> Square in New York City to kick off the new year. Though the ball drop   
   >> tradition at Times Square began in 1907, New Year’s Eve celebrations at   
   >> the iconic venue were first held in 1904.   
   >>   
   >> The original ball, measuring 5 feet in diameter and weighing 700   
   >> pounds, was made of iron and wood and was covered with 100 25-watt   
   >> light bulbs. It was made by a young immigrant metalworker named Jacob   
   >> Starr, according to the Times Square website.   
   >>   
   >> Over the years, the ball witnessed major changes. It went from a   
   >> 400-pound iron ball in 1920 to a 150-pound aluminum ball with 180 light   
   >> bulbs in 1955. In 1995, the aluminum ball was upgraded with aluminum   
   >> skin, rhinestones, and computer controls. The crystal New Year’s Eve   
   >> ball, meanwhile, was introduced in 1999 to welcome the new millennium.   
   >>   
   >>   
   > I heard the DeepState has replaced the 180 lightbulbs with 180 Flock   
   > cameras so   
   >   
   > the commie Democrat mayor can spy on We the Taxpayer People.   
      
   He also banned Raspberry Pis and Flippers from the inauguration so people   
   can't analyze the Flock transmissions.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)