Smoky Origins

Legend has it that the Chinese made the first fireworks in the 800s, filling bamboo shoots with gunpowder and exploding them at the New Year with the hope that the sound would scare away evil spirits. According to tradition, Marco Polo brought this technology back to Europe.  It's fair to say, however, that the origins of fireworks are shrouded in smoke; the China story is widespread, and possibly true, but fireworks may in fact have developed in India or the Arab world.

Another version of the history of fireworks credits Taoist monks with their discovery in the Far East approximately 1000 years ago.  Once again, coincidence played a major role.     What scientists of the day were looking for was a potion that promised immortality and eternal life.  In their experiments, Taoist monks discovered that a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur and finely ground charcoal exploded violently while giving off a great deal of light, noise and smoke.  So, they poured the explosive powder into bamboo tubes, blocked the two ends and attached an igniter cord to the charge.

Fireworks became known in Europe during the 1300s, probably after returning Crusaders brought them from the East.

By the 1400s Florence, Italy, was the center of fireworks manufacturing. At this time fireworks were just one effect in a celebration rather than its focus. At religious festivals Italians made plaster figures that spewed fireworks from their eyes and mouths. The 1533 coronation parade for Anne Boleyn included a papier-mache dragon that belched fire.

During the 1700s displays became more elaborate and were popular with European royalty. French king Louis XV ordered extravagant displays of fireworks at Versailles, and Russian czar Peter the Great put on a five-hour show after the birth of his son. Meanwhile, in the American colonies settlers used fireworks to mark happy occasions.

Today fireworks are a key part of celebrating Independence Day in the United States, Guy Fawkes' Day in the United Kingdom, Bastille Day in France, Canada Day in Canada and New Year festivities around the world.

Part -- 1
-- Fireworks are believed to began in China, 9th Century, when the Chinese discovered black powder. This is more commonly known today as gunpowder, or KNO3.  One of the more common tales is that a Chinese cook accidentally mixed three kitchen ingredients: potassium nitrate, or saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal (from burnt wood.) The cook noticed that this concoction burned with persistently more vigor than simple wood, and later, that if enclosed, this would a tremendous explosion, perfect for the many Chinese rituals.

Then, Marco Polo, as he did many things, brought this concoction back to the west where its military potential evolved, first into rockets, then into guns.

King Charles V, leader of the Holy Roman Empire, had a proclivity for fireworks. He had many "fireworkers" in his royal staff, and whenever a victory was to be celebrated, it was done so with fireworks.

Fireworks spread throughout Europe quickly, becoming a favorite ritual celebration.   They were popular especially in the courts of kings and queens,   such as Louis XIV.

For the middle ages, the countries of Italy and Germany were most notable for their displays.  The Italian shows centered around buildings and structures, less on the fireworks than on the landscaping.  They would build great "machines," which spouted out the fireworks and acted as a centerpiece.  Amber was nearly the only color possible with the fireworks of that time.  However, the Germans took a different approach.  They had a traditional centerpiece as well, but it was much smaller and more understated, so the show could focus solely on the fireworks themselves.

Sometimes, along with elaborate displays, people were used as living displays, spouting fire and sparks from machines they held.  These were called "green men" on account of the leaves they wore all over their body to protect them for sparks and ashes.

By the 1700's,music began to be incorporated into fireworks pageants.

One of the most infamous of all fireworks pageants was one held by England to celebrate the peace treaty that ended the war of Austrian succession.  George Friedrich Handel, one of the most famous composers of all time, composed a symphony for the pageant, Music for the Royal Fireworks.  An elaborate machine was built by a noted Italian pyrotechnician, Ruggieri, including over one thousand fireworks.  However, most of these went unexploded.  The English got into a fight with the Italians, the machine exploded before the pageant, and a number of mishaps happened in the audience, as well.   One man fell out of a tree and died, another fell into a pool of water and drowned, and a lady's dress caught fire. Ironically enough, this pageant that was used as a model for the 1981 celebration of the marriage of Prince Charles to Lady Diana Spencer.

The French were the first to actually synchronize the fireworks procession to a soundtrack, in Cannes, 1960.  They were the first to synchronize a sound track to a fireworks spectacle with chrysanthemum explosions and roman candles.  For unknown reasons, this style disappeared for 25 years.  Then, in 1985, musical fireworks reappeared in spectacular style with the introduction of an international fireworks competition in Montreal, Quebec.....

Part -- 2
-- Centuries before the Chinese developed pyrotechnics mixtures and packaging they made war rockets and explosives as early as the 6th century. The craft spread to Arabia in the 7th century. The Arabs called the rockets Chinese arrows.

The Chinese claim to have made gunpowder during the Sung Dynasty (960-1279). They recorded in their history the use of war rockets against the Mongol invaders in 1279. Historians believe these Mongolians introduced Chinese gunpowder and rockets to Europe about 1241. The first authoritative records have gunpowder used in Europe from 1258.

European development surpassed the initial progress in pyrotechnic development in the 14th century about the time the gun was invented.  Shot and gunpowder were made by the "firemakers" or skilled military tradesmen who also developed elaborate fireworks for celebrating the victory or peace won.

During the renaissance, there were two major developers in the school of pyrotechnics.  The Italians who specialized in elaborate fireworks and the Germans who stressed scientific advancement.

By the mid 17th century fireworks were used for entertainment on a huge scale in Europe. By the mid 19th century fireworks became popular in North America.  By 1894 fireworks were an estimated $ 10 million industry with most production being "domestic Bangers" which were large firecrackers with black powder or flash powder. Toy cannons, and black powder pistols were also popular.

During the last part of the 19th century and the first part of the 20th century, government, medical, and fire officials at all levels pushed for restrictions on these black powder novelties. With mounting pressure, some governments banned all fireworks, and black powder toys.  This started a more moderate development in fireworks as we see today.

After World War II fireworks became even more popular.  With trade and commerce developing at a rapid pace, combined with increasing ease of transportation and shipping, the fireworks industry "took off ".   Mail order catalogs of fireworks were also popular and all types could be ordered and delivered with ease and minimal restriction even in banned areas.   Once again government, medical, and fire officials at all levels pushed for restrictions leading to official rules and regulations which we see today.

Consumer fireworks continue to be popular today.  The tonnage of all fireworks consumed increases about 5 - 10 % annually.  In the 1990's the fireworks industry was an estimated 250 million dollar industry in the US and Canada alone. However, not all types of fireworks are approved.

In Canada, firecrackers have been restricted to approved purchasers since the early 1970's as a result of many injuries to children.  Approved purchasers are those persons or organizations that the Chief Inspector of Explosives permits to purchase and use firecrackers for traditional ethnic celebrations.