Interesting Facts About Fireworks

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:10:00 +0000

Interesting Facts About Fireworks

It is generally accepted that fireworks were first discovered about 2000 years ago in China. The Chinese use fireworks regularly in all religious functions and celebrations, with the belief that the noise that they set off will frighten evil spirits. Fireworks were also used regularly in other Asian countries like Thailand and India. Although it is likely that the tradition of using fireworks for important religious and social occasions in all these countries had its origin in the belief that they could be useful in warding off evil spirits, today the greater motivation comes perhaps from the desire to have fun. Unlike the UK and other western countries, the sale and use of fireworks in many other countries are not strictly regulated, and almost anyone can buy and use them without many restrictions.

Fireworks in Britain

Fireworks were brought to the western world by the well-known globetrotter Marco Polo and European crusaders from the Middle East. In England the first recorded display of fireworks took place in 1486 during the wedding of King Henry VII. Later King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth I made them popular. During this period, fireworks attained respectability and royal recognition. The position of a fireworks master was created by Queen Elizabeth I to take professional charge of all fireworks displays. It was left to King James II to elevate this position to the level of nobility when he knighted a fireworks master in recognition of a spectacular and exceptional display organized by him at the coronation ceremony of the king.

Fireworks in Europe

The Italians have been major contributors to the development of fireworks as an engaging form of art, adding variety and fascination to the shows. Florence in Italy had become a centre of fireworks manufacture by the 15th century. The Italians regularly used plaster figures that gave out fire from their eyes and mouths in their festivals. The coronation ceremony of Anne Boleyn was perhaps one of the first royal occasion in which such a display was employed. Subsequently, fireworks gained popularity among the royalty of Europe. King Louis XV of France encouraged extravagant fireworks displays. The credit for organizing one of the longest shows in those early days probably should go to the Czar of Russia, Peter the Great, when a five hour long show was held to celebrate the birth of a son to the czar.

Some interesting facts

The Japanese word for firecrackers reflects the popular view that fireworks are an art form and a matter of great beauty. Fireworks in Japanese are called hanabi, which literally means fire-flower.

The largest single firework was organized by the Japanese at a festival in 1988 with a single shell that weighed more than half a ton, and burst over an area that spread over a kilometre across.

A string of firecrackers that went on and on lasting 22 hours marked the New Years day celebrations in Hong Kong in 1996.

Static electricity in synthetic clothing can set off firecrackers. Because of this, people making firecrackers wear only cotton clothing while making firecrackers.

The biggest annual fireworks display event in Europe is the International Festival concert held in Edinburgh, Scotland, in which as many as a million fireworks are set off in less than an hour.

Funchal city of Madeira Island organized a Guinness world record event in fireworks with a display that included 17 tons of fireworks, and more than 660, 000 detonations that lasted for eight minutes.

University of Plymouth Scientist Roy Lowry claims to have set a new record by setting off 55,000 rockets in five seconds.

The Spirit of Springfield, which was set up in 1989 to promote community activities in the area organizes hi-tech 4th of July celebrations that is full of interesting facts. The show is studded with choreography, music and fireworks fired by a computer programme and involving massive inputs in terms of manpower, setup time and equipment that includes several miles of wire, tons of sand, and lumber that is sufficient to build an average sized house. The fireworks show features designer shells from a more than half a dozen countries.

4_244994523.jpgsuisse

Fireworks Displays

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:12:00 +0000

Fireworks Displays

In today's world, using fireworks for wedding, fireworks for schools or any other event is clearly defined by public fireworks display. However, in addition to these private events, there are and have always been many events and competitions across the globe where fireworks display companies vie with each other for the best display award. Organizing a fireworks display, whether it is a public one or a private one, is not an easy task and involves a lot of planning and preparation. There are many issues that need to be sorted before actual implementation of the display. Whether you are planning for displaying fireworks for weddings or fireworks for school bonfires or Independence Day celebrations or on the other hand you are planning for a private gathering, there are rules and regulations that need to be followed.

Fireworks have two main parts, the sparklers and the firecrackers. It is the sparkler that gives the light effect to the fireworks display and it is the firecracker that causes the explosion. Firecracker is nothing but good old gun powder and sparklers basically have the capacity to burn over a long period of time and produce showers of light in the form of stars. The formation of the light effect of a firework display is largely due to the arrangement and shape of the star shaped pellets that are present inside the shell of the firework. The placement of these pellets and its internal shape plays an important role in the final shape of lights that is visible to all after lighting the firework. Prior to organizing any of the two kinds of fireworks display, it is necessary for you to know the law of the place and ensure that such display is legally allowed.

Private Fireworks Displays

Private displays include those organized at home for a select few members of family and friends. These displays often form a part of bonfires and care should be taken that such fireworks displays take place away from the bonfire and that the bonfire is not lit till all the fireworks are over. Secondly, before actually setting off any firework at home, you should read all the instructions carefully and make sure you have understood the instructions completely. Also you should always keep a bucket of water or a hose pipe ready, in case of any problem. Further you should ensure that your guests are far from the place of actual lighting of the firework. You should also follow all rules and regulations mentioned in the fireworks safety code before organizing the display. After the event, you should ensure that the place is properly cleaned and dispose all fireworks safely.

Public Fireworks Display

There are many fireworks display companies that help organize public fireworks displays and it is advised that you approach such professionals while planning a public display. They help you in venue selection, type of fireworks display and also on site help in actually executing the event. Venue selection is a very important part of public fireworks displays and the venue should suit the kind of display planned by you. If you are planning an outdoor display, then the direction of the wind and the exact amount of open space you have, will play a very important role in the final display. Care should be taken to store fireworks carefully, away from the place of actual lighting. Also care should be taken to ensure that spectators do not have their own private displays in the midst of the public one. Safety is very important and all care should be taken to ensure a safe and wonderful experience. Lastly, after the event, it is important that the entire place is cleaned up and the surplus firecrackers are disposed of safely.

Finally, whether you use fireworks for weddings or fireworks for school bonfires or for any private or public gathering, they are the most beautiful moments of a person's life. It is but obvious that one wants to capture these moments in a camera but not many people are confident of photographing the display. The most important step towards photographing fireworks is to use a tripod. The next step is to frame your shot before it actually takes place by screening the horizon and identifying the location at an early stage and once you have framed the shot, you have to remember it. It is also advised that you shoot with a wider focal length and finally switch off the flash as this will interfere with the final result.

839038_76942892_479233232.jpgsuisse

Wedding Fireworks, New Year Fireworks, Buy Fireworks, The Fireworkstore

Interesting Facts About Fireworks