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.

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Fireworks and Its History and Events

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:56:00 +0000

Fireworks – Its History and Events

Fireworks are popularly used to celebrate events, for example, fireworks for weddings, fireworks for schools, Independence Day and other similar events to make the day more special and memorable. But are you aware of the fact that these bright lights that make our events special are the invention of the Chinese some 2000 years ago? There are many legends prevalent in China that differ as to who actually invented these bright fireworks. One such interesting story is that these were the accidental invention of a Chinese cook! Legend has it that this cook, while working in a field kitchen, burned charcoal, saltpeter and sulphur together and this mixture when compressed into a bamboo tube led to a loud explosion. Today we know the powder resulting from the mixing of the three ingredients as gun powder. However, there are some people who feel that the present day firecrackers were invented by a Chinese Monk called Li Tian some 1000 years ago. Since then the Chinese have used fireworks for all events, good or bad, for weddings, births, deaths. They believe that these fireworks will ward off evil spirits and bring in prosperity. Using fireworks for school events is a recent phenomenon but there are many dos and don'ts regarding such usage.

Advent of Fireworks in Europe and the United States

There is a debate as to who originally introduced fireworks to Europe, was it Marco Polo or the European Crusaders? It is believed that Marco Polo brought the gun powder to the Middle East and the European Crusaders brought it from the Middle East to present day Europe. In Europe the first use of gunpowder was in canons and guns and it was much later that the Italians used it to make the present day fireworks. It was the Italians that added color to the original fireworks and set the stage for the present day fireworks displays that brighten up all important events. After the Italians, came the Germans in the 18th century. Later the English and the Americans started using fireworks to celebrate and commemorate the various events in their lives. Ever since its introduction, fireworks have been used time and again to commemorate important events in our lives. Fireworks essentially fall into two main categories, consumer fireworks and display fireworks. The former is used at home to celebrate important events in our lives and includes sparklers, skyrockets, aerial shells, snakes, firecracker packs etc., while the latter is used mainly for public displays and professional purposes and requires an ATF license or permit. These include a wide variety of display shells, multiple tube fountains, multi tube devices, salutes, aerial shells etc.

Fireworks Events across the Globe

Ever since its advent in the modern day world, fireworks have been used to celebrate various events across the Globe. These events include the Guy Fawkes Day celebrated in Great Britain, U.S. Independence Day, Canada Day, Diwali and Thrissur Puram in India, Halloween, Chinese New Year celebrations, Singapore and the Japanese Fireworks Festival, among others. Along with these events, there are major fireworks competitions organized across the world that stage beautiful fireworks displays that are adjudged and awarded. In these competitions, leading fireworks display companies from all parts of the world participate and showcase their fireworks displays.

Fireworks are increasingly used today to celebrate events like weddings, birthdays or mini bonfires being celebrated at homes and schools. Given the popularity of fireworks, more and more schools are allowing fireworks displays within school premises during bonfires and special events like Independence Day. There are many fireworks companies that showcase or display fireworks for weddings and fireworks for schools. Given this modern day trend, the lawmakers and fireworks safety regulators have laid down many rules and regulations that need be followed while using fireworks in the midst of children. Similarly while buying fireworks you should first assess whether fireworks are legally allowed in your area and then buy them from a registered retailer. Also you should ensure that you have understood the method in which the firework is to be lighted before you buy them, otherwise it could cause problems. Lastly you should ensure that you have maximum open space to enjoy the bright lights without causing harm to your surroundings.

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Interesting Facts About Fireworks