He seemed naturally selected for the task of collecting specimens on a half-decade journey, while his grandfather seemed a natural for the pottery business. This now expanded business will feature prominently tonight as many watch the journey of a brilliant specimen of its work. How heavy is this brilliant work?

looney_tunes

Charles Darwin, who developed his theory of natural selection as a result of observations made during his lengthy journey on the Beagle, was the grandson of Josiah Wedgwood. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin But I cannot find what piece of Wedgwood China is being moved tonight. I assume the reference is to some New Year's Eve activity (even though here in Australia 'tonight' will be New Year's Day). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Darwin Dec 31 08, 8:12 PM

zbeckabee

The Times Square Ball designed for the new millennium in 2000, on display at the Waterford Crystal Factory. Waterford's chandeliers hang in well-known buildings like Windsor Castle, Westminster Abbey, and the Kennedy Center, and they have made the crystals for the famous New Year's Eve Ball that is dropped each year in New York City's Times Square. For 2009, new Times Square New Years Eve Ball has doubled in size and is 20% more energy efficient than the previous one. The new ball incorporates 3500 lighting cues, weighs 11,875 pounds and is now 12 feet in diameter. The flag pole on the top of One Times Square building where the ball is hoisted has been rebuilt and now enlarged to accommodate the ball. When raised it will now be 475 feet above Times Square. And for the first time in its 101 year history, after New Years Eve, it will remain up all year round. Waterford Crystal is a trademark brand of crystal glassware produced in Waterford, Ireland, and in recent years (largely as sub-brands) in other locations, by the company Waterford Wedgwood plc., previously trading as Waterford Glass Ltd. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterford_Wedgwood http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterford_Crystal http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah_Wedgwood http://www.monacome.com/2008/12/2009-balldrop-online-live-times-square.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Square_Ball http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterford_Crystal Dec 31 08, 9:07 PM

edmund80

Excellent job both of you! Charles Darwin's maternal grandfather was Josiah Wedgwood, the potter. That pottery business is now much larger and does include Waterford Crystal. "Waterford Crystal Limited is currently a subsidiary of Waterford Wedgwood plc, itself formed through the acquisition by the then Waterford Glass Group of the famous pottery manufacturer Josiah Wedgwood, in 1986." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterford_crystal#History "Waterford Wedgwood plc was established in 1986 with the merger of Waterford Glass Group plc and Wedgwood plc." http://www.waterfordwedgwood.com/theBrands.asp And as zb mentioned, the crystals for the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball (which just dropped by the way, all 11,875 pounds of it) were made by Waterford. http://www.timessquarenyc.org/nye/nye_ball.html Jan 01 09, 1:48 AM