About Fireworks

History

Fireworks originated in China (206 BC–AD 220) and produced the loud sound (known as Chinese: "Bian pao") that was intended to frighten evil spirits. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties (AD 420–581) the firecrackers were used not only to dispel evil but also to pray for happiness and prosperity.

The discovery of gunpowder and the subsequent invention of true fireworks is also owed to the Chinese. Taoist monks played with the basic components of gunpowder to create fireworks in their spare time. Eventually, the art and science of firework making developed into an independent profession of its own. In ancient China, pyrotechnicians (firework-masters) were well-respected for their knowledge and skill to mount dazzling displays of light and sound. Some scholars say fireworks were developed in the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581–907), but others argue there were no fireworks until the Northern Song Dynasty (10th century).

Since then, any event—a birth, death, wedding, coronation, or New Year's Eve celebration—has become a fitting occasion for noisemakers.

Music for the Royal Fireworks was composed by George Frideric Handel in 1749 to celebrate the peace of Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which had been declared the previous year.

America's earliest settlers brought of their enthusiasm for fireworks to the United States. Fireworks and black powder were used to celebrate important events long before the American Revolutionary War. The very first celebration of Independence Day was in 1777, six years before Americans knew whether the new nation would survive the war; fireworks were a part of those festivities. In 1789, George Washington's inauguration was also accompanied by a fireworks display. This early fascination with their noise and color continues today.

The largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world is China. China is estimated to have exported over 6 million cases or 120,000 tonnes of fireworks to the US in 2005.

In 2004, Disneyland in Anaheim, California, started using aerial fireworks launched with compressed air rather than gunpowder, the first time that such a launch system was used commercially. The display shell explodes in the air using an electronic timer. The advantages of compressed air launch are a reduction in fumes, and much greater accuracy in height and timing.

Guy Fawkes Night in Great Britain

Remember, remember the fifth of November.

Gunpowder, treason, and plot.

I see no reason why gunpowder treason

Should ever be forgot.

– a children's rhyme about the events, still spoken today

The town of Lewes is famous for its annual Guy Fawkes Night celebrations. Local groups, 'bonfire societies' conduct torch-lit marches around the town, vying with each other for the best fancy-dress outfits and topical celebrity figures that are later burnt. Examples of recent figures include the Pope, Margaret Thatcher, George W. Bush and Osama bin Laden.

The largest and probably the most impressive annual fireworks display in the UK (and indeed Europe) is however held not in November, but in early September in Edinburgh. Since 1981 the world's largest arts festival has ended each year with a combination of live open air orchestral pieces (performed in the Ross Band Stand, Princes Street Gardens) whilst a panoply of fireworks are launched from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle immediately behind. The natural amphitheatre which the Princes Street area provides creates a perfect setting for enjoying the music and fireworks.

Along the same lines, in Canada, during Victoria Day and Canada Day, many fireworks displays are seen throughout.

U.S. Independence Day

Each year before the American Independence Day, the Fourth of July, retailers across the nation experience a surge in fireworks sales. The Fourth of July is a federal holiday celebrating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

Independence Day is commonly associated with parades, barbecues, picnics, baseball games, and various other public and private events celebrating the history and traditions of the U.S. Fireworks have been associated with the Fourth of July since 1777.

In many states, consumer fireworks are sold for personal use or as an alternative to a public show. Concerns about safety have led some states to ban fireworks or limit the sizes and types allowed, but illicit traffic from less restrictive border states is common.

Some of the most famous fireworks displays include Macy's - 4th of July Fireworks in New York. There are also many other spectacular displays in St. Louis, Washington D.C., Boston, and Philadelphia. Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario host one of the largest fireworks displays in the world over the Detroit River each year in celebration of both American Independence Day and Canada Day during the Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival.

New Year's Eve

Major cities around the world host a spectacular firework display on New Year's Eve. Although it is now just a custom to fire off fireworks on New-Year's eve, in the past the idea was to scare 'bad forces' so they would not enter the new year. As a consequence the most popular fireworks are still those that go off with a big bang or with a bright flash.

In Western Europe the sale of fireworks to the general public is usually restricted to a week before New Year's Eve. However this does not stop people buying a large volume of fireworks in the weeks preceding New Years Eve to be picked up during the selling days. The retailing of fireworks in Europe is very different from the US, due to powder weigh limits stored in each building. In many countries around the world, people blow up many tons of fireworks every New Year's Eve.

Lunar New Year

Since the early invention of gunpowder in China, the launching of fireworks and other pyrotechnics has become synonymous with the Lunar New Year festivities. Today, lavish fireworks displays are held at many Chinese cities, including in Hong Kong, where an annual display has been held in the Victoria Harbour on the second day of the first moon in the Chinese calendar since 1982. In Singapore, displays are usually decentralized over several locations, particularly above Chinatown, and a larger-scale one at Marina Bay at the strike of midnight on the first lunar new year's day.

Deepavali ('Festival of Lights') in India

Deepavali (or Diwali) is the most popular festival of India, which broadly celebrates the triumph of good over evil primarily symbolized in the mythological epic of Ramayana in which the Hindu God Rama defeats his demonic adversary Ravana. Customary traditions include offering prayers to the Gods in the morning and exchanging sweets with friends and neighbors. During the night the houses are adorned with small lit oil lamps and colorful lights and then the entire family participates in the display of fireworks.

Unlike Western nations, retail of fireworks is largely unrestricted in India. People have access to a variety of fireworks and most of them in urban areas set it off on the public roads running in front of their houses. In smaller towns, the large temples of the town typically have public fireworks displays. Deepavali brings the spirit of goodwill and brotherhood and is celebrated across all religions in India. Some popular fireworks include the famous 'phoolthari' or 'sparkler' which is commonly used in lighting most other fireworks. The 'Anaar' or 'Flowerpedal' displays as a large mountain of fire when lit. The 'Zameen Chakra' is a spinning circle of fire with sparks emitting from it. The 'rocket' is popular but dangerous, as it can change it's course and fly into buildings. Bombs like 'Chilli Bombs' and 'Laxmi bombs' are becoming popular, but are sometimes disturbing due to their high intensity.

Maltese Petards

In Malta, local patron saints' holidays are usually celebrated with spectacular fireworks and bombs called petards or murtali in Maltese. Petardry is a popular hobby and a traditional skill in Malta, and Maltese fireworks are usually homemade. Manufacture is often high-risk, but the final results are extravagant. In the opinion of many fireworks artists, Malta is one of the best places in the world for the manufacture of fireworks. The 'Malta International Fireworks Festival', held annually at the end of April in the Valletta Grand Harbour, is a fireworks competition open to all pyrotechnic manufacturers of the world. In 2003 the event began as just a festival to showcase Maltese talent, but in 2006 the committee decided to retool it into a competition open to manufacturers worldwide.

PGI Annual Convention

The Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc. or PGI, founded in 1969, is an independent worldwide nonprofit organization of amateur and professional fireworks enthusiasts. It is notable for its large number of members, around 3,500 in total. The PGI exists solely to further the safe usage and enjoyment of both professional grade and consumer grade fireworks while both advancing the art and craft of pyrotechnics and preserving its historical aspects. Each August the PGI conducts its annual week-long convention, where some the worlds biggest and best fireworks displays occur. Vendors, competitors, and club members come from around the USA and from various parts of the globe to enjoy the show and to help out at this all-volunteer event. Aside from the nightly firework shows, the competition is a highlight of the convention. This is a completely unique event where individual classes of hand-built fireworks are competitively judged, ranging from simple fireworks rockets to extremely large and complex aerial shells. Some of the biggest, best, most intricate fireworks displays in the United States take place during the convention week.

Amateur and professional members can come to the convention to purchase fireworks, paper goods, novelty items, non-explosive chemical components and much more at the PGI trade show. Before the nightly fireworks displays and competitions, club members have a chance to enjoy open shooting of any and all legal consumer or professional grade fireworks, as well as testing and display of hand-built fireworks. The 'superstring', consisting of firecrackers numbering somewhere in the millions, as well as the 'megastring' are displayed as well. The week ends with the Grand Public Display on Friday night, which gives the chosen display company a chance to strut their stuff in front of some of the world's biggest fireworks aficionados. The stakes are high and much planning is put into the show. In 1994 a shell of 36 inches in diameter was fired during the convention, more than twice as large as the largest shell usually seen in the USA, and shells as large as 24 inches are frequently fired.

Halloween

In Ireland (both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland), during the Halloween season, there are many spectacular fireworks displays. The largest are in Derry and Dublin. The sale of fireworks is restricted in the Republic of Ireland, though many illegal fireworks are sold throughout October or smuggled over the Northern Ireland border. There is a €10,000 fine for possessing them, or a five year prison sentence.

Safety of commercial and display fireworks in Canada

Fireworks safety is considered to be extremely important in Canada. The use, storage and sale of commercial-grade fireworks in Canada is licensed by Natural Resources Canada's Explosive Regulatory Division (ERD). Unlike their consumer counterpart, commercial-grade fireworks function differently, and come in a wide range of sizes from 2 inches up to 12 or more inches in diameter. As well, since commercial-grade fireworks are a shell which is loaded into separate a mortar by hand, great care must be taken during all stages of setup.

Setup of these fireworks involves the placement and securing of mortars on wooden or wire racks; loading of the shells; and if electronically firing, wiring and testing. The mortars are generally made of FRE (Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy) or HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), some older mortars are made of Sheet Steel, but have been banned by most countries due to the problem of shrapnel produced during a misfire.

Loading of shells is a delicate process, and must be done with caution, and a loader must ensure not only the mortar is clean, but also make sure that no part of their body is directly over the mortar in case of a premature fire. Wiring the shells is a painstaking process; whether the shells are being fired manually or electronically, any "chain fusing" or wiring of electrical igniters, care must be taken to prevent the fuse (an electrical match, often incorrectly called a squib) from igniting. If the setup is wired electrically, the electrical matches are usually plugged into firing system (such as the Neutek system) which has moduals for each cue, a firing panel and a power source (usually a battery similar to a car battery). A firing system allows for more control over timing and a more complex setup and show design.

Laws governing consumer fireworks around the world

Canada

In Canada, Fireworks are available for purchase for anyone over the age of 18. However, laws differ from area to area on when in the year you may purchase and set off fireworks or whether you need a permit to do so, for example in most areas of British Columbia you may only purchase and use fireworks between October 24^th and November 1^st each year. It is always a good idea to check with your local authorities as to the fireworks laws in your area.

United States

In the United States, the laws governing consumer fireworks vary widely from state to state and even from county to county and municipality to municipality. Many jurisdictions limit sales to seasons and others limit both sales and use to seasons.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom fireworks cannot be sold to people under the age of 18 and setting them off between 11pm and 7am is only allowed at specific times of the year, including New Year and bonfire night.

New Zealand

In New Zealand fireworks cannot be sold to persons under the age of 18, and apparently now may only be sold for the 3 days leading up to and including the 5th November.

Norway

In Bergen, Norway, fireworks can only be purchased by persons 18 or older. Class 1.3G professional display fireworks are for sale. Can only be fired between 1800 and 0200 on the celebration day.

Australia

Aerial Shell– A circular or cylindrical shaped casing propelled into the air from a mortar or tube that produces a burst or break with various colours, effects, and noise.

AHJ- Is an acronym for "the authority having jurisdiction". Generally refers to the fire marshal, local police department, local fire department, or whoever is responsible for regulating and monitoring fireworks in your area.

Ball stars- Stars which burn with a spherical flame leaving no trail

Bombette- A mini-shell, often ejected from a Roman Candle

Barrage – A group of items all fired at once, also a name for a rapid fire, successive pyrotechnic effect.

Black Powder– Also known as gun powder, black powder is a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. It is the principal ingredient in most fireworks because it is not sensitive to shock and its burning properties are predictable and slow.

Black Match– Used in the manufacture of fireworks, black match is a type of fuse that is made by saturating cotton string in black powder. Unconfined, black match burns at an approximate rate of one inch per second. Also known as quick match

Cake- A multiple shot, multiple effect firework which is lit with one fuse which causes the effects to fire in sequence.  Cakes can have a variety of effects or showcase one specific effect.

Candle (Roman Candle) - A narrow cardboard tube or cylinder that propels intermittent single flaming balls or stars 15-50 feet into the air. Colors, effects, and noise vary.

Comet – A star that leaves a trail as it ascends.

Gold Glitter Comet,Silver Tiger Tail, Crackling Gold Meteor,Silver Super Nova, Horror Nights & Silver Wave all showcase beautiful large comets

Chrysanthemum – The circular or round effect created when the stars of an aerial shell burst out from a center leaving trails or spokes.

Crossette – A type of comet that breaks into multiple comets, some crossettes will break multiple times.

White Glitter Crossette is one example  of this type of break

Crackling – A fireworks effect that sounds like hundred of snaps or crackles.

8 ball crackling candle, 70 Shot Vulcan crackling barrage, Victory Blast, Meteor Invasion, Crackling Peony & The Menace are all great examples of crackling.

Electric Match– A match head which is ignited with an electrical current.  Used to ignite fireworks

Emergency Road Flare- A small cylindrical device which is lit by striking the top against a striker pad resulting in a flame, typically used during a highway emergency.  Excellent fireworks igniter.

Flitter/Glitter– A style of star that produces a flickering glittery effect or leaves a trail  

Finale – the last portion of a firework display. During a finale, the largest, loudest, and most exotic fireworks are ignited in huge quantities and in a short amount of time, creating an intense and beautiful display

Firecracker – A fireworks item containing flash powder and wrapped in paper with a fuse attached. When the fuse is lit, it burns down inside the paper until it reaches the flash powder. Firecrackers are restricted in Canada.

Fish – Small pieces of fuse that are embedded inside of a shell or bombette that ignite and dart different directions in the air, like fish swimming in a pond.  Fish are commonly gold and silver but can be other colours as well.

Goldfish, Silver Shrapnel, Crazee Daisee, Yard Dog, Widowmaker, Proud and Free, Piranha, Lucifer’s Minion are just a few of our pieces that have this fun effect.

Floral Burst/Shell/Break – An aerial pattern that resembles a flower with points of light that streak outward from the center of the break.

Fuse – An item resembling a string or wire that is used to light a fireworks device.

Fountain– A ground device that emits showers of sparks several feet in the air. Fountains may vary in color of sparks, noise, and effects.

Floral Pattern- An aerial pattern that resembles a flower with points of light that streak outward from the center of the break.

Girandola - A large horizontal wheel that rotates quickly enough to rises into the air. Once it reaches its peak, it usually explodes or shoots flaming stars.  These are sometimes referred to as “flying saucers”

Go Getter – Color stars that expand outward and appear self propelled.

Ladyfinger– A small, usually ¾ inch firecracker (remember, firecrackers are restricted in Canada)

Lance - A tube of pyrotechnic composition, usually five inches long, that burns for one minute. Lances come in various colors are used in set pieces for fireworks events.  

Lift Charge - The pyrotechnic load designed to lift the shell into the sky to the desired height for the break or burst to occur.

Mine- An aerial device that shoot stars into the sky in an upward spray pattern.

Jitterbug, Vulcan Rainbow Mine, Red Mine and Storm Warning are all examples of mines.

Mortar – A tube used in the firing of display fireworks shells. Can be made of cardboard, HDPE or fiberglass

Palm Tree-An aerial effect that produces a break resembling palm fronds, some palm trees have gold or silver stem as the shell rises into the sky (known as a rising tail). 

See our Silver Palm Tree with Tail or our Silver Palm

Peony – After the flower of the same name a peony is an aerial effect that looks like a spherical ball of colored lights in the sky. A common aerial effect on most fireworks displays.

Check out our Crackling Peony, Red & White Peony, Sapphire Knight or Giant Red Peony!

Pistil- A burst or break in the centre of another burst or break. It may be a peony of one colour inside a peony or another or a floral burst inside a ring shell like our Red Ring with Crackling Pistil or Blue Ring with White Strobe Pistil

Punk – a stick of compressed sawdust that burns extremely slow, used for igniting consumer fireworks

Rack– a wooden or metal frame used to hold mortars. 

Report– The loud bang or boom noise produced by a firework.

Salute –An aerial device which explodes with a bright flash and a loud bang.

Shell – Short term for aerial shell

Star – A small pellet or ball of flame

Strobe – A sharp pulsing, flashing visual effect.

Sparkler – a wire or stick coated in a pyrotechnic composition that gives off sparks while burning.

Titanium report– loud explosion in the air with white sparks

Tourbillion - A small rotating device fired from candles, mines or shells which throws out sparks as it rotates eccentrically

Weeping Willow - The effect created when the stars of an aerial burst burn longer, producing the graceful, drooping form of weeping willow branches.

See the Gold Rain Willow for an example of a weeping willow.

Whistle- A high pitched, shrieking noise.

See Screaming Banshee, Missile Base, Phantom Wars, Silver Serpent, Buzz Bomb

Wheel - A device attached to a pole or tree with a nail that propels itself via small jets in a circular motion. Colors, effects and noise vary.