Fireworks are an unavoidable part of every major celebration, starting from birthdays, through weddings, all the way to festivals, Olympic ceremonies and New Year's celebrations. Today's pyrotechnics work so perfectly that they can be considered the latest marvel of technology. But in fact, man knew about fireworks in ancient times. Read some interesting facts about fireworks.
Where and when the fireworks were made?
The first fireworks were used in ancient China, more than 2,000 years ago. The exact year is not known, although the period of the reign of the Chinese Han dynasty, around 200 BC, is most often mentioned. The ancient Chinese used fireworks for the same purpose it is used today - to mark celebrations and festivals. China is still the world's largest producer of fireworks and pyrotechnics.
From what the first fireworks is made?
The Chinese first used bamboo stalks to make fireworks. When the hollow stem fills with air, it shoots, an explosion occurs. The sound of firing bamboo was believed to dispel evil spirits and bring good luck. Later, the technique was improved, so three ingredients were used to make fireworks: saltpetre, sulfur and coal.
When the fireworks arrived in Europe?
Fireworks are believed to have arrived in Europe thanks to Marco Polo, a famous Italian merchant, researcher, adventurer and world traveler. He brought fireworks to Italy, of course from China, around 1295. Since then, the use of fireworks has begun to spread around the world.
In Great Britain, fireworks were first used at the wedding of King Henry VII, in 1486. Great fans of fireworks were Queen Elizabeth I and King James II. Elizabeth awarded the most talented deminers in England the honorary title of "English Lord of Fire", and James II proclaimed a man a knight who organized fireworks at the coronation ceremony.
The biggest fireworks display ever
The Guinness record for the largest fireworks in the world is held by the New Year's fireworks, which were held on January 1, 2016 in the Philippines. This grandiose fireworks party lasted exactly 1 hour, 1 minute and 32 seconds, and 810,904 various pyrotechnic devices were spent.
Pyrotechnicians have the hardest time producing blue fireworks
Even after so many centuries of fireworks, no one has yet been able to discover the perfect chemical formula that would make light blue fireworks. Unlike blue, some colors are very easy to produce, such as orange, green, red or white.
How the fireworks got colors?
Fireworks were invented in China, but most of the pyrotechnic innovations were introduced by the Italians. They are also credited with the invention of colored fireworks, which happened in 1830. Lights of different colors are created thanks to the combustion of different metals that are in a powder state inside the fireworks. For example, calcium produces an orange color, sodium turns yellow when burned, and barium turns green.
How sounds are made when activating fireworks?
Fireworks sounds can also be determined by combining different chemicals inside the pipe. The cylindrical shape of fireworks is responsible for the whistling sound, characteristic of every fireworks display. Aluminum balls create noise, while the so-called. glitter powder, which is actually a mix of chemical substances, such as sulfur, phosphorus, coal, copper, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, etc., leads to loud, large explosions.
The biggest accident caused by fireworks
In the past, fireworks, due to improper use of pyrotechnics and insufficiently good organization, caused accidents. The deadliest accident caused by fireworks occurred on May 30, 1770, during the wedding ceremony of the Habsburg princess Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI of France. Due to the strong wind, some rockets abruptly changed direction and went directly to the crowd. Frightened people began to flee in panic, and more than 130 people were killed in the stampede.
How much money is spent on fireworks a year?
Fireworks fans around the world spend huge sums every year to purchase pyrotechnics. In 2016, around 662 million dollars were spent on fireworks and pyrotechnics in the world.
Fireworks festivals in Japan
Numerous festivals dedicated to fireworks and pyrotechnics are organized throughout Japan during the summer. The peak is in August, during which more than 800 fireworks are performed. For the Japanese, the main purpose of fireworks is to ward off evil spirits, and it is interesting that, unlike the rest of the world, they do not use fireworks during New Year's celebrations.
These are just some of the interesting facts about fireworks. The Christmas and New Year holidays are approaching, the right time for fireworks.
I love watching fireworks, especially for the New Year, in world capitals.