History of Fireworks
Discovery in the East
Though many nations claim the invention, most historians agree that the Chinese invented fireworks in the 9th century when they discovered how to make gunpowder. The story is that a Chinese cook toiling in a field kitchen happened to mix three ingredients commonly found in the kitchen - potassium nitrate or saltpeter (a salt substitute), sulfur (a flammable solid) and charcoal (from charred wood).
The cook noticed that, when ignited, the pile burned with a combustible force. The cook apparently also discovered that if these same ingredients were enclosed and then ignited, the combination exploded rather than burned. This explosion produced a loud sound perfect for frightening off spirits, celebrating weddings, and marking battle victories, eclipses of the moon, and the beginning of the New Year.
Another version of the history of fireworks credits Taoist monks with their discovery in the Far East approximately 1000 years ago. Once again, coincidence played a major role. What scientists of the day were looking for was a potion that promised immortality and eternal life. In their experiments, Taoist monks discovered that a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur and finely ground charcoal exploded violently while giving off a great deal of light, noise and smoke. So, they poured the explosive powder into bamboo tubes, blocked the two ends and attached an igniter cord to the charge.
Development in the West
Italy's Marco Polo, in his journeys to the Far East, picked up a number of novelties and brought them home - among them the black powder that evolved into a mainstay of Italian entertainment and celebration: fireworks.
It was in Europe that gunpowder's military potential was discovered and its usage truly evolved - first with rocketry, and then with guns.
Fireworks were used to celebrate military victories as early as 1532 under Charles V, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. Soon fireworks were used increasingly for entertainment purposes, as royal families in Europe competed for the affection of their subjects by staging ever more sophisticated fireworks at coronations, baptisms and marriages.
To Tsar Peter the Great, we owe the custom of burning fireworks to herald the New Year. King Louis XIV was notorious for his lavish fireworks in the pleasure gardens of Versailles.
Italy and Germany emerged as the two leaders in fireworks displays in the 16th to 18th centuries.
Musical fireworks
By the 18th century, music was commonly incorporated into fireworks displays. One famous performance took place in London, England to celebrate the signing of the peace treaty ending the War of the Austrian Succession. English composer George Friedrich Handel created a symphony, Music for the Royal Fireworks, specifically for this event.
Modern musical fireworks were initiated by the French at Cannes in 1960. They were the first to synchronize a sound track to a fireworks spectacle with chrysanthemum explosions and roman candles. For unknown reasons, this style disappeared for 25 years. Then, in 1985, musical fireworks reappeared in spectacular style with the introduction of an international fireworks competition in Montreal, Quebec.
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