Fireworks Throughout History

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:08:00 +0000

Fireworks Throughout History

The origins of gunpowder and fireworks

Everyone has seen impressive fireworks displays and many people today use fireworks for weddings as an extra touch. Most scholars agree that the active ingredient in fireworks, gunpowder, was discovered by Chinese alchemists in the ninth century. The alchemists were searching for an elixir of immortality, but what they haphazardly discovered changed the world forever. 2000 years ago the Chinese made fireworks out of tubes of bamboo filled with a mixture of sulfur and charcoal. Since then fireworks for weddings and large fireworks displays have become very popular.

Black powder was used in guns until the invention of nitrocellulose in the nineteenth century. However black powder is still used to make fireworks today. Before nitrocellulose replaced black powder, military applications drove the innovations found in black powder today. It also forever changed the tactics used in warfare. When black powder was introduced into Europe during the fourteenth century, small castles had to be abandoned, due to their weak resistance against cannons and other explosive devices of the time. Capitol cities surrounded by hills, once safe, had to be abandoned. The hills provided a perfect vantage point for enemy artillery.

Fireworks in Europe started with military explosives that they adapted for victory celebrations. Italian makers of fireworks were famous for their lavish fireworks displays between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. Various chemicals have since been added to fireworks to make them even brighter and to produce a wider range of colors.

Contemporary use of Fireworks

Crackers in particular took a major step forward when flash powder replaced black powder in 1923. Flash powder gives the fireworks a brighter and sharper bang due to the fact that it combusts quicker. The competitive market that this created saw the rise of many companies that solely made crackers. These companies however did not last long and most of them folded, rendering their products expensive collector’s items.

Fireworks have become big business. Fireworks for events are sold by the truckloads and there are fireworks competitions all around the globe. During the spring festive season of 2006, fireworks to the value of $124 million was set off in mainland China alone. Buying fireworks is serious business for some. Collectors buy rare fireworks made by discontinued companies. They use a rating system to judge the fireworks’ quality. The highest rank on the scale is 10, which means the fireworks are mint. The lowest is five, which means the fireworks have obvious flaws. The flaws can range from damaged labels on the packaging to factory faults.

Fireworks are present everywhere people have celebrations and where there is entertainment. Fireworks for schools have become very popular, with fireworks displays at sports games and fund raising events. What would professional wrestling be without the extravagant pyrotechnics displays that accompany the wrestlers as they make their way to the ring? Pink Floyed, ACDC, KISS and many more music acts, classic and modern, make use of fireworks displays to enhance their stage performance.

Safety First

Fireworks are dangerous. When handling combustible substances you should always put your safety and the safety of those around you as your number one priority. In the past fifty years many restrictive rules (especially in Asia) have been put in place. This is because of children being injured by fireworks and the noise pollution caused. Even fireworks that are considered harmless, like sparklers, can cause serious burn damage. You should never give a sparkler to a child under five years old, and you should never carry a child when holding a sparkler. When the sparkler is burnt out, place it in a bucket of water.

Always be mindful of your pets and your neighbor’s pets when shooting of fireworks. During big celebrations, like New Years, keep you animals, especially dogs, inside until no more fireworks are being shot. Animals are very sensitive to bright lights and sudden loud sounds. Their eyes and ears are hurt by this and continued or close exposure to firecrackers can forever damage their senses. You should always take the time to read the instructions on fireworks and follow them to the letter.

Most countries ban the sale of professional grade fireworks to ordinary civilians. Big fireworks displays and fireworks for weddings are best left to professional fireworks display companies. Not only will it be an amazing show, but you can be rest assured that every one’s safety is the first priority. There are a number of fireworks professionals that specializes in fireworks displays and fireworks for weddings.

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Fireworks Throughout History