Fireworks: From Ancient History to Modern Use

Professional fireworks are comprised of fuel made from black powder, a chemical mixture to provide color, and an oxidizer used to help the fuel burn. Because of their highly flammable nature, fireworks are dangerous and should only be used with adult supervision. The area in which fireworks are used is important to consider, as well. Dry grass, trees, or shrubs are easily ignited with small sparks produced from fireworks. Improperly used fireworks can cause damage to the nearby environment and have been known to start large fires costing millions of dollars in damage. Water should always be nearby and readily available when using any kind of fireworks.

The History of Fireworks

After their initial creation in China, fireworks traveled the Silk Road through China and into Europe where they began to be recorded in the 12th and 13the centuries. Fireworks were used in religious plays in Italy in the late 12th century and the following centuries saw Italy create schools to help artists learn to create beautiful firework displays. In these Italian schools, a more modern firework was born that resembled the modern cannons used to launch displays high into the air.
These schools also began experimenting with various metals and other ingredients in these fireworks and were able to produce colorful explosions by the 19th century.
As time has gone on, more technology has been added to fireworks to allow for a safer and more controlled experience for everyone involved. No longer used on large displays are wicks or fuses that burn, but they have been replaced with electronic timers that allow for precise detonation.

Firework links to royalty

As with many new inventions and imported luxuries, royalty was often the first to enjoy the use of fireworks as they were introduced to an area. King Henry VII of England employed the use of fireworks at his wedding in 1486. The Catholic Church was an early adopter of fireworks for added effect during plays during the 12th century.

Common uses of Fireworks

Fireworks are a common sight. Once reserved for religious festivals or celebratory holidays, fireworks are now used for weddings, town festivals, amusement park celebrations, and much more. The Walt Disney Company is the largest buyer of fireworks, purchasing around $50 million worth each year to host their nightly displays.

New Year is a holiday that is particularly popular for firework usage with large colorful displays popular around the world, often accompanied by a live symphony. In the United States, July 4th is celebrated as the nation’s independence day and fireworks are incredibly popular, with each citizen spending on average $100.

Who makes Fireworks?

Making these ever-popular fireworks takes a special job. Known as a pyrotechnician, these workers know how to assemble and pack fireworks to create various shapes, colors, and sounds when the firework is set off. Training for these jobs can take years to master and there are still new techniques and recipes being developed today. People who work around fireworks are typically not allowed to wear synthetic fabrics due to the risk of static electricity igniting the ingredients.

Various Shapes

Professional fireworks are known for their wide variety of shapes and patterns. Many of the shapes are combined and integrated to make larger displays with many layers and levels. Many shapes that are commonly seen in displays are known by names. Shapes are usually named after how they appear in the sky and include crossette, fish, ring, horsetail, kamuro, spider, palm, willow, and many others. The most common shape is the peony, which explodes in a circular radius producing bright shimmering stars of color without a tail.

How do Fireworks get their shapes?

To get these various shapes pyrotechnicians must pack the fireworks in a specific way. Various arrangements and shapes in packing are used to generate the desired layers and colors in the sky. Adding certain chemicals like titanium or potassium perchlorate gives different colors, sounds, and produces different effects. Knowing which chemicals to use and in what order while packing a professional firework takes skill and training developed over years of experience.

Colors and Noise

Metals and chemicals can be added to shells to allow for different colors. Yellows are generated with sodium or carbon compounds, red colors can be generated with lithium or strontium. Generating a blue color, however, remains difficult and is often dimmer than other colors due to this difficulty. The desire to create a vibrant blue is an ongoing endeavor that many people are working on around the world.
Noise is another popular part of firework displays. Whistles, booms, and crackles are all sounds that are made with various ingredients and packing methods. Aluminum or iron flakes are used to create crackling sparkles, for example. Layers that burn slower created by sodium salicylate can produce the characteristic whistling sound associated with fireworks.

Centuries of research and artistic skill have gone into creating the fireworks we know and love today. They are used worldwide and all year long for a variety of cultural and religious celebrations. Skilled workers known as pyrotechnicians create beautiful works of art that provide joy to thousands of people. Used under the right supervision and conditions, fireworks offer a fun way to celebrate for people the world over.