Fireworks: About the Bang

There is a lot more to fireworks than a big bang and pretty colors. They

have a long history that is full of traditions, celebrations, and unfortunately,

injuries.

It is not known for sure who actually invented fireworks. It is known

that the Chinese used fireworks two thousand years ago. The fireworks that

they used were different than what is used today. The gunpowder that was

used in the earliest fireworks was not as explosive. The explosive part of the

gunpowder was added when a cook saw that saltpeter burnt brightly and

added it to the sulfur and charcoal gunpowder that was used at the time. The

Chinese took interest in fireworks around the sixth century. They improved

upon the firework as much as possible. Italians started to make fireworks

more artistic in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. They used processes in

some of their fireworks that are still used now (Brenner 21-23, 25).

There have been many uses for fireworks throughout history. The

Chinese were the first to use fireworks for festivals and celebrations (Brenner

23). At the time, gunpowder was mostly used for weapons (Turner 2).

Rockets and cannons were used as a sort of firework in the 1300s to

celebrate victories in battle. In the 1500s, there were specialists that put on

firework shows during important celebrations. Now, fireworks are very

popular in the United States on holidays like the Fourth of July (Brenner 10,
24-25). They are also seen often at sporting events like baseball games,

football games, and the Olympics (Turner 2).

Fireworks may look simple on the outside, but on the inside, they are

much more complicated. Every firework shell includes a fuel to propel and

detonate the shell, different compounds to produce color, and, of course, a

fuse. The fuse in the shell is timed so that the shell will ignite at its highest

point (DeMatto 1-2). The gunpowder that is used in fireworks is made of

saltpeter and charcoal. It is sometimes switched with sodium nitrate to make

it more affordable (Gunpowder 1). The colors of a firework are caused by

complicated compounds. Green is the result of barium, orange can be made

with calcium chloride, red is caused by strontium and lithium carbonates,

and purple is made by strontium carbonate and copper oxide. These

compounds go into the stars. The size, color, and pattern that a firework will

make when it explodes are dependent on the shape, size, and arrangement

of the stars inside of the shell (DeMatto 1-3).

There are many laws and regulations concerning fireworks. The people

that put on large pyrotechnic shows that you see at important events are

trained and must have a permit (Turner 1). The three classes that the

government has given all explosives are Class A, B, and C. Class C explosives

are just home fireworks that are legal in many states. Class B explosives are
the large fireworks that are only allowed in licensed firework shows. Class A

explosives are military bombs and rockets. Some much more common illegal

fireworks than military bombs and rockets are cherry bombs, M-80s, and

silver salutes. These laws, of course, can change depending on the state

(Brenner 15-16, 110-111).

Here are some ways to keep safe while using fireworks. It is always

smart to have a source of water available when lighting fireworks. It could

prevent a fire that causes a lot of damage. Never use a firework in a way that

the directions do not indicate. Dont light fireworks when it is very dry, stay a

good distance away from any lit firework, dispose of the remains of all

fireworks in a safe way, and only light fireworks outdoors. Failure to follow

these tips can result in serious injury or death. Over four thousand people

died from 1900-1930 in the United States alone due to firework accidents.

Also, in 1976 alone, around eleven thousand people were injured by unsafe

use of fireworks. It is a risk that really does not need to be taken (Brenner 11,

16, 107)

There is a lot more to fireworks than meets the eye. They have a two

thousand year history, and they have been a part of many historical events.