All About Fireworks

Want to impress your friends and neighbors this 4th of July with your vast store of fireworks knowledge? We did the research for you and found lots of interesting information on this Independence Day tradition!

Where Did They Come From?

Most experts agree that the first firecrackers originated in China around 200 BC. Basically, the air pockets inside bamboo shoots would explode when thrown onto a fire, thereby creating a natural firecracker. Sometime between 600 AD and 900 AD, they began putting a mixture of saltpeter (aka potassium nitrate), charcoal, sulfur, and a few other things in the bamboo. This was essentially a type of gunpowder and increased the explosion capacity. According to History.com, by the 10th century, they had started attaching these makeshift fireworks to arrows and using them in battle.

How Do They Work?

LiveScience gives a great description of the science behind these colorful illuminations. Fireworks are largely chemical reactions ignited by gunpowder. The color of the firework depends on what type of metal salts or metal oxides are used. Different compounds produce different amounts of energy as they are heated, resulting in the varying colors.

 

Fireworks Statistics

Not enough trivia? Here are a few more interesting facts about fireworks (and where we got them!):

• In 2018, $360 million was spent on display fireworks and $945 million was spent on consumer fireworks (American Pyrotechnics Association).
• James II’s coronation fireworks display in 1685 was so spectacular, the fire master was knighted (LiveScience).
• Czar Peter the Great organized a five-hour fireworks display to celebrate the birth of his son (History.com).
• Americans have been setting off fireworks on the 4th of July since 1777 (Smithsonian)!
• The largest firework ever was launched from a 15,000-pound mortar canon by the United Arab Emirates on New Year’s Eve in 2018. It weighed 2,200 lbs (Popular Mechanics).

Firework Safety

Of course, we always have safety on the mind at Haselden! Check out this blog post we did a few years ago with tips from our safety team on responsible use of fireworks. You can also check out this link to see what restrictions your specific city has on fireworks.

From all of us at Haselden, have a happy and safe 4th of July!

Soothing Your Pets

Have a furry friend you want to keep calm during noisy fireworks displays? Check out this article on keeping pets relaxed.

Fireworks Displays

Want to leave the pyrotechnics to the experts? Click here to check out the professional fireworks shows in your area!

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