Explosives Inside

Background: Happy 4th!

(A short history of fireworks to a tune made famous by Francis Scott Key)

In the land of the East, where the dragons do roam,
Gunpowder was born, in its mystical home.
With a crackle and spark, in the skies it was shown,
A burst of pure magic, the world had not known.

Through the Silk Road it traveled, to lands far and wide,
In Europe it dazzled, with kings by its side.
From the courts of Versailles to the Thames' flowing tide,
The skies came alive with a colorful pride.

In the Edo nights clear, where the samurais stood,
Fireworks lit up the Japanese neighborhoods.
Hanabi they called it, a fiery flood,
Of blossoms in the sky, like a story in wood.

Oh, the firework’s grand blaze, through the centuries’ maze,
Keeps our eyes to the skies, in an endless amaze.
O say, does the spark from the ancients’ delight,
Still enchant us today, as we gaze through the night?

Deja Vu: The fascination with fireworks dates back to 9th-century China, where gunpowder was first invented. By the 12th century, these early firecrackers were used to scare off evil spirits and celebrate weddings, births, and victories in battle. Fast forward to the Renaissance in Europe, and fireworks became an essential part of public festivities, symbolizing power and prestige. Monarchs such as Louis XIV of France used elaborate fireworks displays to dazzle their courts and display their wealth.

Fireworks were introduced to Japan in the 16th century by Portuguese traders. The Japanese quickly embraced the art of pyrotechnics, and by the Edo period (1603-1868), fireworks festivals, known as hanabi taikai, had become popular summer events.

Fact:

During the Renaissance, Italy became the epicenter of fireworks innovation. Italian pyrotechnicians were highly sought after for their expertise in creating intricate and colorful displays. They introduced the concept of adding metal salts to gunpowder to produce different colors, a practice that revolutionized fireworks and remains in use today.

Word: Girandola

The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, celebrated on June 29th, is a major feast day in the Roman Catholic Church. In Rome, this day is marked by various religious ceremonies, processions, and celebrations, including a spectacular fireworks display known as the Girandola.

The Girandola fireworks display has a long history dating back to the Renaissance period. Originally, the fireworks were launched from Castel Sant'Angelo, a fortress and former mausoleum of the Roman Emperor Hadrian. The display was designed to celebrate major religious and civic events, including the election of a new pope or the feast day of important saints. The Girandola became especially associated with the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, symbolizing the illumination of the heavens in honor of these key figures in Christian history.

Number: 1st and 2nd

According to Travel + Leisure, The Walt Disney Company is the largest consumer of fireworks in the world and the second largest purchaser of explosive devices, right behind the U.S. Department of Defense.

List: If You Have Any Left Over After the 4th…

• Scientific Research: Fireworks are sometimes used in meteorological studies to release small particles into the atmosphere to track wind patterns and study air currents.

• Signaling and Communication: Historically, fireworks have been used for signaling purposes, especially in naval contexts.

• Military Training and Operations: Fireworks and pyrotechnic devices are employed in training exercises to simulate battle conditions, create smoke screens, or as decoys.

• Construction and Demolition: Fireworks and controlled pyrotechnic devices can break up rock and other materials in a controlled manner, aiding in construction projects such as road building and mining.

• Special Effects in Media: Fireworks are used to simulate explosions, gunfire, and other dramatic effects that enhance the visual impact of scenes in movies, TV shows, and stage productions.

Recommended Reading: The Book of Great American Firecrackers: Cherry Bombs, M-80s, Cannon Crackers, and More

Includes 183 color and black-and-white images of vintage photos and packaging, plus values for American firecracker collectibles