Fireworks: How they work and where they came from---1

The ancient Chinese believed that fireworks' loud bang could scare off evil spirits and ghosts, and eventually, their use was incorporated into all types of celebrations, including births and deaths. European kings valued fireworks so much they appointed "Fire Masters" to provide elaborate shows. England's James II was so pleased with his that he knighted him. Today we celebrate a number of holidays and special events with fireworks. It's ironic, however, that the objects that provide so much visual pleasure also provide the nucleus for one of man's most destructive inventions: gunpowder.

The Chinese believed a kitchen god made annual reports to heaven on a family's behavior. Punishments included a shortened life. Firecrackers were set off to honor the god. History Most historians agree the origins of gunpowder can be traced to ancient China, although some evidence shows the Greeks and the east Indians may have also had some form of black powder by the 8th century. Stories attribute gunpowder's discovery to either a Chinese cook accidentally mixing common kitchen items or an alchemist working to find the elixir of life. By the 10th century, a Chinese monk from the Hunan Province named Li Tian discovered that packing the powder into a paper tube would produce a loud bang. His invention is remembered annually with a celebration on April 18. The province is still a major production center. Firecrackers and fireworks soon gained popularity in religious ceremonies and as a way to celebrate a number of occasions. By the 13th century, Marco Polo and, by some accounts, the Crusaders brought fireworks and black powder to Europe. As the fascination with fireworks grew, so did the development of cannons and guns. The English scientist Roger Bacon (1214-1292), published a formula for producing fireworks or "thunder and lightning." Many European courts were known for their elaborate fireworks displays, including Elizabeth I and James II, who had their own "Fire Masters." Various European families emerged as leaders in such displays. The Grucci, Rozzi and Zambelli families continue the tradition to this day. Fireworks remained relatively unchanged until the 19th century, when chemicals were added for color. There have also been recent improvements in color and visual effects.