Millions of people around the world love the sight of fireworks. However, like many things in life, all we see is the end result, the spectacular noises and colours as they explode in the sky above us.
What about the work that goes into fireworks before we see the spectacular final outcome? What about the science behind fireworks that we never considered?
We looked at some of the most important and fun facts surrounding fireworks, and how they helped to shape the product that many millions know and love today.
Accidental Creation
What does a microwave, penicillin, and a post-it note have in common?
The answer is that they were all invented by accident, as were fireworks. Well, not the fireworks themselves, rather the formula for putting them together. It all started in China, where the first fireworks were invented using purely gunpowder. It is believed that Chinese scientists stumbled upon the basic formula used in most modern day fireworks in trying to create an immortality potion!
Thankfully, they realised rather quickly that they had failed in their initial aim, but had come up with something exciting to share with the rest of the world nevertheless.
No Explosions, Please
Oddly enough, for a product that many see being fired high into the sky with the purpose of exploding, fireworks aren’t actually designed with explosion in mind.
There is a bit of counter-tuition involved here, admittedly, but fireworks developers look to delay the explosion of their products as much as possible, so that they climb higher and create a much more inspirational effect across the sky.
A firework exploding soon after take-off wouldn’t be much fun, would it? Not to mention hugely unsafe!
Fireworks are Design Spectacles
Although the vast majority of individuals around the world love fireworks because of the colours and sounds they create, they are perhaps among the most intuitively designed products in the world.
Think about all of the fireworks you know and the varying effects that they all have, from a Catharine Wheel, to a Roman Candle, to a standard rocket firework. All have specific design features that enable them to give off their trademark sounds and visual effects.
The great thing about this design is that it isn’t always majorly scientific, many of the effects seen and heard are down to particular particles being glued to a piece of paper, or the use of something as innocuous as a cardboard tube.
As you can see, behind the finished article there is a great story attached to fireworks, one worth knowing so you can impress those around you with your knowledge the next time you attend a fireworks party.
Guest Author Bio
This article is written by Fireworks Crazy, a UK-based fireworks seller who also provide professional displays for special occasions.
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