When an election occurs for a new pope, a tiny chimney on the Sistine Chapel roof signifies whether a pope is elected or not. White smoke means a new pope, and black smoke indicates the process needs to continue. The tradition of using colored smoke to reveal the results of a papal vote dates back to 1914, when cardinals decided to announce results to Catholicism’s waiting world. Until 1978, the smoke signal has been unreliable, triggering debates over what color the smoke was. Damp wood or wet clumps of straw were used to trigger black smoke, but a combination of proper chemicals allowed a more controlled color to emit from the chimney. Tradition dictates the ballets be burned after each vote, necessitating the use of the chimney.