| The History of Pyrotechnics |
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The birthplace of fireworks is generally recognized
as China, with the first explosive mixture found being
black powder, during the Sung dynasty ( 960-1279 ).
It is said that a cook in ancient china found that
a mixture of sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal was very
flammable and would explode if enclosed in a small
space. The first application of this technology was
for entertainment. The Chinese are still the leader
in the production of fireworks. Once the recipe for
black powder was perfected, they found that it was
easily used as rocket fuel, and they made hand carved
wooden rockets in the shape of a dragon, in the sixth
century. These rockets shot rocket powered arrows
from their mouth, and were used against the Mongol
invaders of 1279. The principle behind these rockets
is still used in rocket powered fireworks today.
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| Through adventurous explorers,
the knowledge of making fireworks spread west, through
Arabia in the seventh century. The Arabs called the
rockets Chinese arrows. The Mongols are credited with
taking Chinese rockets and gunpowder to Europe around
1241. The first record of their use in Europe are around
1258. Until the 19th century, fireworks lacked a major
aesthetically essential characteristic: color. Pyrotechnicians
began to use a combination of potassium chlorate and
various metallic salts to make brilliant colors. The
salts of these metals produce the different colors:
strontium burns red; copper makes blue; barium glows
green; and sodium, yellow. Magnesium, aluminum, and
titanium were found to give off white sparkles or a
flash. |
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| Even though China invented
the fireworks, Europe surpassed them in pyrotechnic
development in the 14th century, which coincides with
the time the gun was invented. Shot and gunpowder for
military use was made by skilled tradesmen, later called
firemakers, who also made fireworks for peace or victory
celebrations. During the Renaissance, two European schools
of pyrotechnic thought emerged: one in Italy and the
other at Nuremberg, Germany. The Italian school of pyrotechnics
emphasized elaborate fireworks, and the German school
stressed scientific advancement. Both schools added
significantly to further development of pyrotechnics,
and by the mid-17th century fireworks were used for
entertainment on an unprecedented scale in Europe, being
popular even at resorts and public gardens. In the mid-19th
century fireworks became popular in the United States.
Injuries associated with fireworks, particularly to
children, eventually discouraged their unrestricted
use. As a result, in many states of the U.S. and in
parts of Canada the sale of fireworks is now restricted
by law. |
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