Fireworks

When were fireworks introduced?

The use of fireworks, or pyrotechnics, probably began when some prehistoric man mixed saltpetre (potassium nitrate) from his cooking with charcoal from his fire. Saltpetre is a pyrotechnic composition – a substance which does not need oxygen from the air in order to burn, bu instead supplies it. Two more such compositions are potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate. These are  combined with finely ground gunpowder, sulphur, aluminium dust and many other chemicals to produce force and sparks, or white  or coloured flame. Other substances produce noise, smoke and whistling sounds.

It is believed that fireworks were used in the East, especially China and India, for centuries before they spread to Europe. The Chinese fired pyrotechnic war missiles and produced dazzling displays of fireworks for ceremonial occasions. Arabia, in the 7^th Century, also used pyrotechnics in war. In the 14^th Century came the invention of gunpowder, a pyrotechnic mixture of saltpetre, charcoal (carbon) and sulphur.

Spectacular firework displays in celebration of victory or peace became popular during the 17^th Century. Color was introduced into the entertainment in the 19^th Century through the use of  potassium chlorate, which was first prepared by Claude Louis Berthollet (1748-1822). Later magnesium and aluminium was employed to make fireworks still more brilliant.  Every year displays are given to mark such widely different occasions as the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot to blow up the British Parliament, and Independence Day celebration in the United States.