The Breathtaking Splendor of Fireworks
by Frank Hodgekiss
http://www.fireworkswow.com
Legend has it that the first fireworks display was a
serendipitous accident. An ancient Chinese cook
accidentally mixed together sulfur, potassium nitrate
(salt peter), and charcoal and then lit it, perhaps trying to
get supper going. The resulting POOF started a tradition that
has fascinated us ever since.
Next, he put the concoction into a bamboo tube. That BANG
sure got noticed! Word quickly spread about this marvelous
invention that's called black powder today. "Fireworks"
were just the thing for chasing away evil spirits during
celebrations.
By the sixth century, the art of making fireworks had
progressed to the point where the first rockets were
invented. Not only were the rockets entertaining, they
also had practical uses during warfare. Dragon rockets
were used by the defenders during the Mongolian invasion of
1279 A.D. to shoot arrows.
Fireworks didn't really take hold in Europe until they
were displayed at the wedding of Henry VII of England in
1486. By the reign of Elizabeth I, fireworks had really taken
off and have enjoyed great popularity ever since.
However, fireworks lacked color to go with the flash and
bang until the 1800's. It was discovered that certain
metallic salts changed the color of the flame. Strontium
burns red, barium creates green, copper makes blue, and
sulfur adds yellow/gold.
Today, fireworks creators and pyrotechnicians constantly
strive to outdo each other in creating the most colorful
displays around.
The first major celebration of fireworks was held in 1892
at the 400th anniversary of Columbus' landing in
America.
The display on the Brooklyn Bridge was watched by the
almost unheard of number of one million people!
Another incredible fireworks display happened in 1986 on
the 100th birthday of the Statue of Liberty. For this
historic occasion, three previously bitter rivals: Felix
Grucci Jr; George Zambelli, and Robert Souza worked
together for over a year to create one of the world's most
amazing spectacles.
The size of this firework display was astounding. Over
22,000 aerial pieces and 18,000 ground pieces were used.
This doesn't even count the dozens of pictures, panoramas,
and fountains around the spectator's area. The display
required a staff of 100 technicians, 220 miles of wire,
and 777,000 pounds of mortar tubes, which were used for
launching the rockets. The entire extravaganza, most of
which was launched from 30 barges, stretched from the
Statue of Liberty, up the Hudson River and around the tip
of Manhattan, to the East River.
Of course, you can get in on the act and get your own
fireworks. In some places you can get them locally, or
you can even order them online so you can add an extra
bang to your New Year's, Fourth of July, or other
celebrations. Just make sure to order ahead of time,
due to the volume of sales and the increase in shipping
around those times.
Write your sweetheart's name on a rocket, light the fuse
and let 'em see fireworks.
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