History of Fireworks

The history of fireworks is as colorful as the flashes of light that they emit. This article will deal with the history of fireworks, from its discovery to its modern uses.

China is recognized as the birthplace of fireworks. However, the exact date of its invention, as well as the discovery of gunpowder (an important element used in fireworks) is greatly debated by historians.

Some say that it goes as far back as 2000 years ago, while others peg it at a much later time during the Middle Ages.

The Chinese mainly used fireworks for entertainment purposes. Those considered as the first firecrackers were bamboo tubes filled with gunpowder which were then thrown into the flame.

The loud noise that these firecrackers, and other subsequent fireworks, emitted was believed to drive away evil spirits. That is why the Chinese usually use them to usher in a new year.

Use of fireworks eventually spread westward, initially to the Middle East then later on to Europe. The first recorded use of fireworks in Europe was sometime during the 13th century.

While the Chinese used fireworks for entertainment, the Europeans used it for military purposes. It was at this time when guns were invented.

The Europeans, too, spearheaded the development of fireworks. They studied it closely and even had schools built specifically for that purpose - one was in Italy while the other was in Nuremberg, Germany.

Today, fireworks continue to be a significant part of major celebrations such as the New Year. There are even international festivals dedicated to showcasing fireworks displays. Read more...