,,THATS THE WAY I LIKE IT''

GOLDEN TWENTIES

Fringed dresses, Josephine Baker, ragtime fever. Parties, cigarette holders, absinthe cocktails. And overlooking it all: the disco ball. Its exact origin is uncertain. Some sources say the first prototype was rotating above Boston's “Roughhaus” dance floor in 1897, while others point to Berlin's “Ballhaus Resi” and owner Paul Baatz. There’s even an unverified 1924 patent making the sparkling ball's 100 years old in 2024. One thing is certain: from the 1920s onwards, this symbol for glamorous intoxication lit up rooms filled with lavish inhibition.

BELL BOTTOMS AND GLITTER JUMPSUITS

Let's jump forward a few decades. As the world turned, we invented Penicillin (1942), Edmund Hillary climbed Mount Everest (1953), and someone wrote the first email (1971). But one thing never changed: the desire to break routine. Nothing could be more true than the 70s disco era, when the mirrored ball reached its glittering peak. Rumor has it, the world's largest disco ball— with a two-meter diameter – lit up the infamous New York Studio 54. In clubs big and small, the disco ball rotated over the western world as dancers boogied to “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees or “That's the way I like it” by KC & The Sunshine Band in the outfits you’d expect: colorful bell bottoms and glittering jumpsuits.

ENTERTAINING PLEASURE

Admittedly, the disco ball is not as popular as it once was, but it still remains the life of the party. If you take a closer look, you might be surprised how often you see them around in everyday life for they do live on in private party rooms. You’ll see them as Christmas tree ornaments, key rings and earrings. So keep an eye out for your next Burg dance-party companion, who just might be a disco ball freak!

FUN FACT

The disco ball has made regular appearances on the big screen. From “Some Like It Hot” with Marilyn Monroe to ''Saturday Night Fever” with John Travolta.

FUN FACT 

Great on the outside, but what’s on the inside? … well, that’s a bit less exciting. Technically speaking, a disco ball is a Styrofoam ball covered in small glass or metal mirrors. An electric motor spins the ball.