How Spectacular Firework Shows Are Made

You've probably seen a fireworks show, but have you ever wondered how fireworks really explode? Or maybe you've wondered how people actually came about having fireworks shows? According to the book, "How Do They Do That?" by Caroline Sutton, legend has it that in the 10^th century the Chinese starting making fireworks when they accidentally spilled saltpeter in a cooking fire. It made for a spectacularly colored light show. The fascination grew and the Chinese began using saltpeter, sulphur and charcoal to make stunning lights in the sky using bamboo shoots.

Once gunpowder was invented, using the same three major ingredients, the military controlled fireworks throughout Europe as fear of the items being used in war grew.

It was the Italians who first used fireworks as a means of celebration. In fact even today, the Feast of the Redeemer in July in Venice has one of the most spectacular light shows in the world.

In the 19^th century, firework shows became large in England. And soon, all countries in the world used the lights as a part of festive merriments.

Fireworks contain an excess amount of fuel. This makes the initial blast and allows for it to remain in the air. Most fireworks are made using a combination of potassium nitrate, sulfur and finely ground charcoal. Some fireworks contain potassium nitrate and salts of antimony, arsenic and sulphur. Gunpowder allows the firework to lift and explode. Potassium chlorate is what creates the amazing colors.

The great variety of patterns fireworks can do in the air, depends on the composition of ingredients and what they are encased in.

For example, a roman candle has three layers of casing allowing the fountain of charcoal, saltpeter, sulphur and other metal particles to spark. Each layer allows a fountain to burn for a few seconds. This ignites the gunpowder, which in succession, lights off each section allowing it to burn and explode.

Shell fireworks are filled with stars in smaller shells to produce successive blasts.

Pinwheels have a case with nozzles at each end and a central piece which revolves the explosive materials.

Rockets are in a paper cap in a cylindrical case. They are packed tightly with stars and gunpowder. When the fuse is lit, the lower part of the case propels a charge that sends the rocket into the sky. The gunpowder then explodes the stars making for a colorful explosion.

In 2004 Disneyland in Anaheim, California, used aerial fireworks launched with compressed air rather than gunpowder. This was the first time that was done and it was found to reduce fumes and have a much greater accuracy in height and timing.

Much of the greatest shows now use timing devices so that rockets burst at exact moments. This allows fireworks to explode perfectly in time with music.

Pyrotechnicians are constantly expanding on these basics to find new ways for more colors, more designs and more noise.

Next time you see an impressive display, who knows what new invention will make you "ooh" and "ahh".

Source: "How do they do that?" book by Caroline Sutton