How Fireworks Work

There are a wide variety of fireworks available in the market. Each produces a different effect depending on how they were set up and the materials used in making them.

In spite of their variety, they operate on basic principles which apply to each and every firework. This article will give you a glimpse of how firecrackers work.

It begins with learning about the three basic types of fireworks: the firecracker, sparklers and the aerial fireworks.

Firecrackers are the oldest and the most basic of all three. The Chinese first created them by stuffing gunpowder in hollow bamboo tubes.

Typical firecrackers consist of gunpowder or flash powder which is then tightly packed into a tube. A fuse serves to light the powder inside. Sometimes, manufacturers add materials such as aluminum to make the explosion bright.

Meanwhile sparklers simply emit bright flashes of light. They are designed to burn brightly for a long time unlike firecrackers which usually just blow up in a fraction of a second.

Finally, there are the aerial fireworks. They are probably the most common form of fireworks since they are the ones used during celebrations such as the New Year and, in the United States, the Fourth of July.

Among the three, aerial fireworks are the most complex. They are usually composed of a container, a bursting charge at the center which ignites the stars located on its side, and the fuse which determines how high the fireworks can fly. Different compounds are used in the stars to create different colors. Read more...

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...

Types of Fireworks

Ever since fireworks were invented by the Chinese, there have been a multitude of varieties created by pyrotechnics experts throughout the years.

In fact, when you visit a big fireworks specialty store, you might feel like a kid left in a toy store because of all the assortments of fireworks that you may find there.

Below are some of the most common fireworks that you can usually find in the market.

1. Firecrackers

This is the earliest type of firework created by the Chinese. It is basically a fused black powder packed in a tube. When lit, it produces loud noise.
2. Sparkler

As its name suggests, fireworks of this kind create a sparkling effect when lit. They burn brightly for a long time and give off sparks of light.

3. Cake

Is a type of firework which produces different sound and visual effects.

4. Fountain

A type of firework which shoots up sparks several meters into the air.

5. Waterfalls

Are probably one of the most fantastic types of fireworks out there. They are suspended and held by a rope and when lit, produce a big wall of light that resembles a waterfall.

6. Roman candle

A smaller version of the cake, the roman candle shoots up balls of light in succession. A group of roman candles is called a battery and a fan-shaped one is called a bouquet.

7. Aerial shell

Is another popular type of firework. The shell is shot in the air and bursts mid-flight. Patterns of colors are then created. Read more...