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Fireworks

Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices in an outdoor setting. Such displays are the focal point of many cultural and religious celebrations, though mismanagement could lead to fireworks accidents.

"Firework" redirects here. For the song by Katy Perry, see Firework (song).

Fireworks take many forms to produce four primary effects: noise, light, smoke, and floating materials (confetti most notably). They may be designed to burn with colored flames and sparks including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and silver. They are generally classified by where they perform, either 'ground' or 'aerial'. Aerial fireworks may have their own propulsion (skyrocket) or be shot into the air by a mortar (aerial shell).


Most fireworks consist of a paper or pasteboard tube or casing filled with the combustible material, often pyrotechnic stars. A number of these tubes or cases may be combined so as to make when kindled, a great variety of sparkling shapes, often variously colored. A skyrocket is a common form of firework, although the first skyrockets were used in warfare. The aerial shell, however, is the backbone of today's commercial aerial display, and a smaller version for consumer use is known as the festival ball in the United States.


Fireworks were originally invented in China. China remains the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world.


'Silent' fireworks displays are becoming popular due to concerns that noise effects traumatize pets, wildlife, and some humans. However, these are not a new type of firework and they are not completely silent. "Silent firework displays" refers to displays which simply exclude large, spectacular, noisy fireworks and make greater use of smaller, quieter devices.[1] The Italian town of Collecchio switched to silent fireworks in 2015.[2]

(5 November) (permitted until midnight)[58]

Bonfire Night

The (permitted until 1am)[58]

Chinese New Year

(permitted until 1am)[58]

Diwali

(permitted on New Year's Eve until 1am on New Year's Day)[58]

New Year

Clubs and Organizations

Enthusiasts in the United States have formed clubs which unite hobbyists and professionals. The groups provide safety instruction and organize meetings and private "shoots" at remote premises where members shoot commercial fireworks as well as fire pieces of their own manufacture. Clubs secure permission to fire items otherwise banned by state or local ordinances. Competition among members and between clubs, demonstrating everything from single shells to elaborate displays choreographed to music, are held. One of the oldest clubs is Crackerjacks, Inc.,[62] organized in 1976 in the Eastern Seaboard region.


Though based in the US, membership of the Pyrotechnics Guild International, Inc. (PGI)[63] is open to all. Founded in 1969, its annual convention hosts some the world's biggest and best fireworks displays occur. Aside from the nightly firework shows, the highlight of the convention is a unique event where individual classes of hand-built fireworks are competitively judged, ranging from simple fireworks rockets to extremely large and complex aerial shells. Some of the biggest, best, most intricate fireworks displays in the United States take place during the convention week.

Fireworks celebrations throughout the world

Australia

In Australia, fireworks displays are frequently used in the celebration of public holidays, particularly New Year's Eve and Australia Day. The most famous is the Sydney New Year's Eve Midnight Fireworks. In the Northern Territory, "Cracker Night" is celebrated every 1 July on Territory Day, where residents are allowed to buy and use fireworks without a permit.[65]

A fuel

An oxidizer—a compound that combines with the fuel to produce intense heat

Color-producing salts (when the fuel itself is not the colorant)

A binder which holds the pellet together.

Bang
The bang is the most common effect in fireworks and sounds like artillery cannon being fired; technically a "report". Silent fireworks have all of the visual effects, however. The "salute" effect is even more pronounced and sometimes is banned.

Crackle
The firework produces a crackling sound.

Hummer
Tiny tube fireworks that are ejected into the air spinning with such force that they shred their outer coating, in doing so they whizz and hum.

Whistle
High pitched often very loud screaming and screeching created by the resonance of gas. This is caused by a very fast strobing (on/off burning stage) of the fuel. The rapid bursts of gas from the fuel vibrate the air many hundreds of times per second causing the familiar whistling sound. It is not, as is commonly thought, made in the conventional way that musical instruments are using specific tube shapes or apertures. Common whistle fuels contain benzoate or salicylate compounds and a suitable oxidizer such as potassium perchlorate.

List of fireworks accidents and incidents

Quote from Dave Whysall of Dave Whysall's International Fireworks located in Orton, ON. www.dwfireworks.com

Melanie Doderer-Winkler, "Magnificent Entertainments: Temporary Architecture for Georgian Festivals" (London and New Haven, Yale University Press for The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, December 2013).  0300186428 and ISBN 978-0300186420.

ISBN

Plimpton, George (1984). . Doubleday. ISBN 0385154143.

Fireworks: A History and Celebration

Brock, Alan St. Hill (1949). A History of Fireworks. George G. Harrap & Co.

Russell, Michael S (2008). The chemistry of fireworks. Royal Society of Chemistry, Great Britain.  9780854041275.

ISBN

Shimizu, Takeo (1996). Fireworks: The Art, Science, and Technique. Pyrotechnica Publications.  978-0929388052.

ISBN

Werrett, Simon (2010). Fireworks: Pyrotechnic Arts and Sciences in European History. University of Chicago Press.  978-0226893778.

ISBN

NOVA Online Kaboom! with pyrotechnics, anatomy of fireworks, etc

Canadian Fireworks Association ACP

article, "Firework Formula", 16-July-1881, pp. 42

Scientific American