An ancient mix of black powder, essentially gunpowder little changed from its invention in China a millennia ago, gets each rocket in the air by creating pressure in gas trapped in a tube, or mortar.
Two fuses are lit at once: one to ignite the black powder, and another that burns slower, creating a well-timed explosion high in the sky.
The shells of commercial fireworks contain a powdery concoction of chemicals that produce the bangs and the whistles, as well as the pretty effects. Tubes, hollow spheres, and paper wrappings work as barriers to compartmentalize the effects. More complicated shells are divided into even more sections to control the timing of secondary explosions.
Big booms and whistles come from flash powder. Once used for flashes in photography, it is a combination of fuel-like metal and a chemical that feeds oxygen to fire up the fuel.
Different combinations of metals and oxides produce a whole array of sounds.
While ancient Greeks and Romans used bismuth in their beauty care products and coins, chemists add bismuth trioxide to the flash powder to get that crackling sound, dubbed "dragon eggs." Ear-splitting whistles take four ingredients, including a food preservative and Vaseline.
The variety of color in a fireworks show depends on the mix of metals.
Copper produces blue sparks. A mix of strontium salts, lithium salts and other stuff makes red. Aluminum and titanium put the white stars in an aerial flag. Barium, also used in rat poison and glass making, makes green. Calcium burns orange and sodium, yellow.
In recent years, chemists have worked to develop more environmentally friendly fireworks, in part because one ingredient, perchlorate, was found in higher than normal concentrations in a lake where fireworks were shot off, and the chemical is known to cause thyroid problems in humans.
Meanwhile, to light up a red, white, and blue flag, chemists can lay out the emblem's design on wax paper. The pattern you see up in the air, whether it's a smiley face or a bow tie, mirrors the arrangement of the metals in the shell.
Because the flag, or any other pattern, shoots out from the shell as a two-dimensional image, people watching the show from different angles can't always tell what they're looking at. To make sure everyone has a good view, pyrotechnists tend to send duplicates into the sky at the same time.
You can see fireworks before you hear them because light travels faster than sound.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Fireworks factory fire kills 10 in India
July 21, 2009 - 9:54PM
At least 10 people were killed when a blaze destroyed a fireworks plant in southern India, the second such fire in two weeks, officials said on Tuesday.
Twenty-eight people were injured in the fire which erupted on Monday in the town of Sivakasi, India's leading fireworks manufacturing centre.
Thirteen of those hurt were in hospital with severe burns, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi told the state assembly.
The chief minister said he had ordered a probe into the fire and asked experts to review safety measures in Sivakasi, 560km south of Chennai.
The blaze came after 19 people died in a similar fireworks factory fire on July 7 in Tamil Nadu.
Ninety per cent of India's pyrotechnics originate in Sivakasi.
Some 670 privately owned units in Sivakasi produce fireworks worth seven billion rupees ($A171.66 million) a year.
Fires are frequent at firecracker factories in India due to lax safety standards.
At least 10 people were killed when a blaze destroyed a fireworks plant in southern India, the second such fire in two weeks, officials said on Tuesday.
Twenty-eight people were injured in the fire which erupted on Monday in the town of Sivakasi, India's leading fireworks manufacturing centre.
Thirteen of those hurt were in hospital with severe burns, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi told the state assembly.
The chief minister said he had ordered a probe into the fire and asked experts to review safety measures in Sivakasi, 560km south of Chennai.
The blaze came after 19 people died in a similar fireworks factory fire on July 7 in Tamil Nadu.
Ninety per cent of India's pyrotechnics originate in Sivakasi.
Some 670 privately owned units in Sivakasi produce fireworks worth seven billion rupees ($A171.66 million) a year.
Fires are frequent at firecracker factories in India due to lax safety standards.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Jackson Board of Aldermen vote to reverse fireworks ban
JACKSON, MO (KFVS) - Just days after the 4th of July, the Jackson Board of Aldermen voted to ban fireworks.
After a lot of public outcry, the board reconsidered the measure Monday night.
The board decided to reverse the ban on fireworks by a vote of one to seven.
That means fireworks are allowed within Jackson city limits the week of Independence Day, as they were before the ban.
The lone vote in favor of the ban was Alderman Larry Cunningham who says he believes it's a safety issue.
"I think it's a safety issue and I think it needs to be addressed," Cunningham said.
"[I think it's] up to the citizens of the town to have input into it and decide what should be done on something that important," said Alderman Mark Dambach. He said he thinks fireworks should be left to parents to decide what's appropriate for their children.
Several people opposing the ban showed up to the meeting and voiced their opinions.
At least two fireworks sellers were also there, opposing the ban.
After the vote, several members in the audience applauded.
There is no ban on fireworks in Jackson and that the ordinance on the books stands as it did before.
After a lot of public outcry, the board reconsidered the measure Monday night.
The board decided to reverse the ban on fireworks by a vote of one to seven.
That means fireworks are allowed within Jackson city limits the week of Independence Day, as they were before the ban.
The lone vote in favor of the ban was Alderman Larry Cunningham who says he believes it's a safety issue.
"I think it's a safety issue and I think it needs to be addressed," Cunningham said.
"[I think it's] up to the citizens of the town to have input into it and decide what should be done on something that important," said Alderman Mark Dambach. He said he thinks fireworks should be left to parents to decide what's appropriate for their children.
Several people opposing the ban showed up to the meeting and voiced their opinions.
At least two fireworks sellers were also there, opposing the ban.
After the vote, several members in the audience applauded.
There is no ban on fireworks in Jackson and that the ordinance on the books stands as it did before.
Monday, July 13, 2009
fireworks photography tips
4th of July fireworks photography tips
Wed Jun 24, 2009 4:31PM EDT
Buzz up!36 votes The 4th of July is nearly upon us, and that means it's time to to go watch things explode violently and colorfully in the sky... and impressing your friends with the photos you take of said explosions.
Taking good fireworks pictures isn't actually all that easy, so I've cobbled together my favorite fireworks pic-taking tips -- something of an annual tradition now at Yahoo! Tech -- to help you on your way. After all, you only get one day a year (maybe two) to snap a big fireworks show.
Don't forget to charge your batteries and clear out some space on your memory card first!
4th of July Fireworks Tips
Forget the Flash
You're shooting at night or dusk, and unless you change it, your camera's auto-flash setting will want to go off with ever shutter press. Turn it off before you get started: You can no more illuminate a fireworks display with your tiny flash than you can the moon. The flash will even work against you by slowing down your camera, causing you to miss shots.
Tripods Are Your Friend
Low-light photography means keeping things as still as possible during the shot. A tripod will help immensely here. If you're comfortable with manual settings, change the aperture to f/8 or f/16 and use ISO 100, which pros say are the best settings for pyrotechnics. (Many cameras also have a special fireworks mode, obviously also worth a shot.)
Try the Rapid-Fire Mode
Most cameras have a speed mode that lets you capture 5, 10, or more shots in rapid succession with a single shutter press. Give it a try when you know a big volley is coming up. You never know what you're going to catch.
Vary Your Angles
You'll naturally feel like zooming in on the explosions in the sky, but more interesting shots often include the environment -- the crowd, surrounding buildings or landscape, clouds, and anything else nearby. Consider getting a seat further away than you might ordinarily try for so you have this option. At the same time, ultra-close zoom shots of fireworks can yield very interesting and unusual results.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Fireworks over Baghdad as Iraqis take over cities
Fireworks light up the night sky above Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, June 29, 2009. U.S. troops will be out of Iraqi cities by tomorrow Tuesday June 30 in the first step toward winding down the American war effort by the end of 2011.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
BEIJING – An Olympic-style fireworks display put on by China's state-run television broadcaster was the cause of a spectacular blaze that destroyed a luxury hotel that was part of the network's landmark headquarters in Beijing, a fire department spokesman said Tuesday.
The fire, which sent off huge plumes of black smoke and showered the ground with embers, left one firefighter dead and a handful of others injured, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The blaze was put out early Tuesday morning after burning for more than five hours.
Luo Yuan, a spokesman for the Beijing fire department, was quoted as saying by Xinhua that fireworks set off to celebrate the Lunar New Year were to blame for the fire that destroyed the unfinished hotel.
He was quoted as saying that China Central Television had hired a fireworks company to ignite several hundred large fireworks in an open area by the nearly completed Mandarin Oriental hotel.
Video footage seen on Youtube shows spectacular bursts of fireworks above the top of the 44-floor building in downtown Beijing.
CCTV did not show footage of the fire or mention it during its noon broadcast Tuesday.
"It is clear only that the cause was firing fireworks against regulations. The detailed cause is still under investigation," an official in CCTV's foreign affairs department of CCTV, told The Associated Press. The person refused to give her name because she did not have permission to speak to the media.
The 159-metre (520-foot) Mandarin Oriental hotel, designed by Netherlands architects Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren, was part of a stunning CCTV complex that helped transform the capital's skyline for last year's Olympics.
The dynamic Z-shaped CCTV tower next to the hotel has quickly become a symbol of a modernizing and powerful China even though it was not due to open until later this year. The whole complex cost 5 billion yuan ($731 million), according to Xinhua.
Luo told a news conference that the people from a company in Hunan province hired to set off the fireworks were being questioned.
Luo said the fireworks were similar to those used during the Beijing Olympics. Xinhua quoted him as saying because the fireworks were much more powerful than what was available at roadside stalls during the Lunar New Year holiday, approval was needed from the city government before they could be set off in downtown areas.
"The owners of the property ignored police warnings that such fireworks were not allowed," Luo was quoted as saying.
The CCTV foreign affair department official said CCTV owned the hotel building. It is jokingly called "Little Chick" by Beijing residents, while the CCTV twin towers are called "Big Pants" because of the odd angle they are at and how they are joined by two cantilevered arms at the top.
Beijing usually tightly restricts the use of fireworks downtown, but waives the rules each year during the Lunar New Year holiday. Monday was the final day for fireworks, marking the first full moon since the Lunar New Year, and massive barrages exploded in open spaces throughout the city.
One onlooker, Li Jian, said he saw smoke rise from the hotel's roof shortly after a huge burst of fireworks showered it with sparks.
"Smoke came out for a little while, but then it just started burning," Li said.
Dozens of fire crews were called to the scene, and police closed a nearby elevated highway to ensure safety.
A 30-year-old firefighter died after suffering respiratory tract injuries, Xinhua said.
__
The fire, which sent off huge plumes of black smoke and showered the ground with embers, left one firefighter dead and a handful of others injured, the official Xinhua News Agency said. The blaze was put out early Tuesday morning after burning for more than five hours.
Luo Yuan, a spokesman for the Beijing fire department, was quoted as saying by Xinhua that fireworks set off to celebrate the Lunar New Year were to blame for the fire that destroyed the unfinished hotel.
He was quoted as saying that China Central Television had hired a fireworks company to ignite several hundred large fireworks in an open area by the nearly completed Mandarin Oriental hotel.
Video footage seen on Youtube shows spectacular bursts of fireworks above the top of the 44-floor building in downtown Beijing.
CCTV did not show footage of the fire or mention it during its noon broadcast Tuesday.
"It is clear only that the cause was firing fireworks against regulations. The detailed cause is still under investigation," an official in CCTV's foreign affairs department of CCTV, told The Associated Press. The person refused to give her name because she did not have permission to speak to the media.
The 159-metre (520-foot) Mandarin Oriental hotel, designed by Netherlands architects Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren, was part of a stunning CCTV complex that helped transform the capital's skyline for last year's Olympics.
The dynamic Z-shaped CCTV tower next to the hotel has quickly become a symbol of a modernizing and powerful China even though it was not due to open until later this year. The whole complex cost 5 billion yuan ($731 million), according to Xinhua.
Luo told a news conference that the people from a company in Hunan province hired to set off the fireworks were being questioned.
Luo said the fireworks were similar to those used during the Beijing Olympics. Xinhua quoted him as saying because the fireworks were much more powerful than what was available at roadside stalls during the Lunar New Year holiday, approval was needed from the city government before they could be set off in downtown areas.
"The owners of the property ignored police warnings that such fireworks were not allowed," Luo was quoted as saying.
The CCTV foreign affair department official said CCTV owned the hotel building. It is jokingly called "Little Chick" by Beijing residents, while the CCTV twin towers are called "Big Pants" because of the odd angle they are at and how they are joined by two cantilevered arms at the top.
Beijing usually tightly restricts the use of fireworks downtown, but waives the rules each year during the Lunar New Year holiday. Monday was the final day for fireworks, marking the first full moon since the Lunar New Year, and massive barrages exploded in open spaces throughout the city.
One onlooker, Li Jian, said he saw smoke rise from the hotel's roof shortly after a huge burst of fireworks showered it with sparks.
"Smoke came out for a little while, but then it just started burning," Li said.
Dozens of fire crews were called to the scene, and police closed a nearby elevated highway to ensure safety.
A 30-year-old firefighter died after suffering respiratory tract injuries, Xinhua said.
__
Friday, November 07, 2008
'Dependence Day?' America at mercy of China for fireworks
With skyrocketing prices, safety hazards, U.S. could see fewer July 4 celebrations
WASHINGTON – With Chinese-made fireworks skyrocketing in price and among many imports being recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, some local communities are curtailing their Independence Day celebrations or limiting them to parades and less noisy and spectacular daytime activities.
WASHINGTON – With Chinese-made fireworks skyrocketing in price and among many imports being recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, some local communities are curtailing their Independence Day celebrations or limiting them to parades and less noisy and spectacular daytime activities.
The cost of Chinese-made fireworks is up 10 to 12 percent, according to large U.S. distributors like Atlas fireworks, one of the largest in the Northeast. With rising prices come decreased sales.
Atlas owner Stephen Pelkey saw 2006 sales drop 3 percent over the previous year and expects the downturn to continue due mostly to price, but also to concerns about safety.
Last week, as WND reported, the CPSC recalled more Chinese imports, including fireworks products intended for July 4 Independence Day celebrations.
The recalls included more than 13,000 300 Shot Saturn Missiles Battery Fireworks that the CPSC says can travel in unexpected and dangerous directions, posing special hazards to eyes and bystanders. In addition, the CPSC recalled about 4,000 500 gram mine/shell devices considered unstable and posing burn and other injury hazards.
Almost all fireworks purchased in the U.S. for July 4 celebrations are manufactured in China.
(Story continues below)
Portsmouth, N.H., recreation director Rus Wilson said that town's fireworks display this July 4 will likely be smaller than previous years because of the higher prices.
Some see it is ironic that America's "Independence Day" celebrations would be curtailed because of "dependence" on fireworks from China.
"Americans equate the Fourth of July with celebrating and fireworks," says Julie Heckman, executive director of the America Pyrotechnics Association. "Fireworks are, historically, a symbol of American independence."
But they have also been big business.
Americans spent more than $900 million to purchase fireworks in 2006. Most of that amount was by consumers for backyard displays. Heckman estimates Americans will spent about $925 million this year. But they won't get as much for their money.
The growth in recent years is largely due to the fact that fireworks are now legal in 45 states and the District of Columbia.
As Americans think about ways to celebrate Independence Day, they may want to consider that many Chinese fireworks are produced by slave labor – or near slave-labor conditions.
Recently, even the official Chinese media reported 468 slaves freed from deplorable conditions in which dozens died. Some 120 were arrested in a four-day crackdown on slave industries that include the production of fireworks. Many of the slaves were children, some as young as 8, who had been kidnapped. The slaves were near starvation and many had been beaten.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
UK fireworks shortage after Chinese factories shut for Olympics
Bonfire night could go off with a whimper rather than a bang for some as Britain feels the knock-on effect of factories being shut down in China for the Olympics.
More than 80 per cent of fireworks used in celebrations in the UK are imported from China but the volume imported this year is significantly down on last year.
Industry experts estimate the amount of fireworks on sale is 30 per cent down on a normal year which will leave last minute buyers with a much reduced choice.
They blamed the Chinese decision to shut down factories as it tried to reduce the cloud of pollution hanging over Beijing during the Olympic Games.
Robin Treacher, spokesman for Huddersfield-based Standard Fireworks, one of the UK's most popular brands, said it had secured enough fireworks.
But he said: "There is a myth that China used all its fireworks for the Olympics. That's not true. But there is quite a shortage because of restrictions in China. A lot of factories were asked to stop production because of their environmental concerns and there was less shipping.
"The best records we can ascertain are that the shipping was 30 per cent down on what's required for November 5.
"Those leaving it until this weekend will find that they just don't have the variety and choice. People will see a lot less on offer."
Firework production in the UK has virtually disappeared and is now almost completely dependent on China.
Ken Fifield, one of the directors of Phoenix Fireworks in Wrotham, Kent said: "There was actually very little supply coming in for about four months. It's starting to clear now as some of the ports are now shipping, but it's a bit of too little, too late.
"We imported from Europe rather than China this year. We saw this coming last January and filled our stores up then so we're now able to re-sell on to some of the professional firework companies who've been caught short."
Simon Cansick, from Hi-5 Fireworks, based near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, added: "There is a shortage, but we've been dealing direct with the Chinese for quite a while and we made sure our shipment got out.
"However, I know some display companies which if they haven't run out yet, they will be very close."
Only two weeks ago 500 massive fireworks containers packed with fireworks were still sitting in China waiting to be shipped and it is unlikely all of them have arrived in time.
Earlier this year the US experienced a shortage of fireworks for July 4 celebrations. Up to 15 per cent of the fireworks expected from China did not reach the US because of the closure of the Chinese port of Sanshui following a series of warehouse explosions.
Industry experts estimate the amount of fireworks on sale is 30 per cent down on a normal year which will leave last minute buyers with a much reduced choice.
They blamed the Chinese decision to shut down factories as it tried to reduce the cloud of pollution hanging over Beijing during the Olympic Games.
Robin Treacher, spokesman for Huddersfield-based Standard Fireworks, one of the UK's most popular brands, said it had secured enough fireworks.
But he said: "There is a myth that China used all its fireworks for the Olympics. That's not true. But there is quite a shortage because of restrictions in China. A lot of factories were asked to stop production because of their environmental concerns and there was less shipping.
"The best records we can ascertain are that the shipping was 30 per cent down on what's required for November 5.
"Those leaving it until this weekend will find that they just don't have the variety and choice. People will see a lot less on offer."
Firework production in the UK has virtually disappeared and is now almost completely dependent on China.
Ken Fifield, one of the directors of Phoenix Fireworks in Wrotham, Kent said: "There was actually very little supply coming in for about four months. It's starting to clear now as some of the ports are now shipping, but it's a bit of too little, too late.
"We imported from Europe rather than China this year. We saw this coming last January and filled our stores up then so we're now able to re-sell on to some of the professional firework companies who've been caught short."
Simon Cansick, from Hi-5 Fireworks, based near Thirsk, North Yorkshire, added: "There is a shortage, but we've been dealing direct with the Chinese for quite a while and we made sure our shipment got out.
"However, I know some display companies which if they haven't run out yet, they will be very close."
Only two weeks ago 500 massive fireworks containers packed with fireworks were still sitting in China waiting to be shipped and it is unlikely all of them have arrived in time.
Earlier this year the US experienced a shortage of fireworks for July 4 celebrations. Up to 15 per cent of the fireworks expected from China did not reach the US because of the closure of the Chinese port of Sanshui following a series of warehouse explosions.
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