The Maker of the Times Square Ball Filed for Bankruptcy in 2009

Waterford Crystal, based in Ireland, designs a new pattern for the Times Square Ball each year.

This year the new crystals, triangular in shape, which number in the hundreds and are installed alongside the permanent Waterford crystals that remain in the ball year after year, are made in a Celtic knot pattern dedicated to the theme “Let There be Courage.”

Waterford Wedgwood filed for bankruptcy protection in January of the now outgoing year.

Unfortunately, this won't be a sign that the worst of the economic misery is over. There's a U.S. government debt clock somewhere near Times Square that may explode in 2010 because of how fast it will be required to change to update the increasing debt.