For years, the Ball of Industry and Technology was distinguished by the connection of technology, industry, economy, and science with the vibrancy of youth. With its real elegance and its festive mood, it is one of the social highlights of Vienna's ball season.

The origin of today’s Ball of Industry and Technology goes back to the activities of the "Techniker Kränzchen" committee, which goes back over 170 years and was first documented in 1842. The net profit of the Techniker Kränzchen was dedicated to the support of worthy and needy auditors of the k. k. Polytechnical Institute in Vienna, the predecessor institution of the Technical University of Vienna. A similar dedication of the net profit of the present Ball of Industry and Technology still benefits the areas of research and education at the Technical University of Vienna.
In 1931, increased integration of industry was initiated by renaming the Technicians' Ball to the Ball of Technology and Industry. Twenty years later, the event was given its current name of “Ball of Industry and Technology”.

Industrialization inspired the Strauss family
The age of industrialization with its vast variety of inventions triggered plenty of enthusiasm and great expectations, which also gripped famous musicians and composers of the time.
In 1842, Josef Lanner dedicated the “Geistesschwingen” waltz to the “listeners of technology in Vienna”.

The Ball
At the time of the monarchy, one member of the imperial house was always a protector of the ball. From 1892 to 1911, this was Archduke Ferdinand Karl. In 1912 he was followed by Archduke Leopold Salvator.
In the first Republic, top politicians such as the presiding chancellor assumed the patronage of the ball. In the second Republic, the Balls of the Industry and Technology were under the auspices of the respective president or chancellor, who also repeatedly opened the ball personally.

The Young Ladies and Young Gents Commitee, led by the Ball President, opens the ball with a polonaise, the Fledermausquadrille and the traditional Linkswalzer to Josef Strauss’ “Mein Lebenslauf ist Lieb’ und Lust”.
The entrance of the guests of honor with representatives from the areas of industry and economy, followed by the rectors as well as government members, underscores the social significance of the ball. The connection to the Technical University of Vienna is honored with a high number of dignitaries.

The guest list of the ball is dominated by members of the Techniker-Cercle and their circle of friends and relatives. The Techniker-Cercle assumes the organization every year and ensures a dazzling ball and a successful result through honorary activities.

The atmosphere heated up thanks to the young members, who were always present in large numbers and happy to dance, and two bands who alternated playing in the "Goldener Saal", one specializing in Viennese waltzes, the other in international standard dances. The disco in the “Gläserner Saal” facilitated a transition to modern rhythms and also a change to a bar atmosphere.

The ball's atmospheric highlight was the Mitternachtsquadrille, in which every guest could take part.

Those who made it to the traditional end of the ball at 5 am could enjoy a contemplative close to the ball with “Brüderlein fein”, played with tender violins.