The History of Firecrackers

Pieces of green bamboo burning in fire makes a loud popping noise because of the segmented sections trapping air and sap heating to bursting. These "firecrackers" helped early Chinese peasants during the Han dynasty (200 B.C.) scare off unwanted animals from villages and, later, evil spirits. The Chinese discovery of gunpowder centuries later provided more control of the bamboo popping when filled with the black powder. The story of firecrackers transcends Chinese history, spanning centuries and cultures.

Scaring the Evil Spirit

Over 2000 years ago, use of the bamboo firecrackers frightened away Chinese evil spirits, one in particular in the guise of a unicorn called Nian. Appearing on the eve of the Lunar New Year, the evil Nian ran from the bursting bamboo, or "baozhu" (cracking bamboo), assuring the people of a prosperous and happy new year. In the 21st century, scaring away Nian continues to kick start the Chinese New Year firecracker and fireworks celebration.

Birth of the Modern Firecracker

Accidentally discovered by Chinese metallurgists, the precursor to gunpowder appeared during the Sui and Tang Dynasties (600-900 A.D.). According to the "Origins of Things" from the Song Dynasty (960-1279 A.D.), Ma Jun of the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history (220-265 A.D.) first used gunpowder in dried bamboo 1,700 years ago. The gunpowder--huo yao ("fire chemical" or "fire drug")--when placed inside bamboo tubes and thrown into fire, blasted apart with a more powerful and louder bang than made by the empty green bamboo. By 1100 A.D., the Chinese made the firecracker from twisted paper.

Marco Polo - the Italian Connection

Returning from China in 1295, Marco Polo brought the elements of gunpowder and the first firecrackers to Italy. During this Renaissance period of European discovery, the Italians turned firecrackers into an art form. The foremost contribution of the Italians were shells or explosive-filled canisters fired into the air for maximum height before exploding. Along with this contribution to modern pyrotechnics, the Italians used a slower-burning compound, producing radiant, showering sparks upon ignition. Today's sparklers, Roman candles and others of the most popular firecrackers and fireworks directly result from this period.

Britain on the Bandwagon

The 1486 marriage of England's King Henry VII marked the first celebration in England that included firecrackers and fireworks. Later, England's King Charles II trained special military units explicitly for exploding firecrackers and fireworks to proclaim victories of war battles during his reign. By the time of Elizabeth I, the use of firecrackers and fireworks by Europe's royalty and upper classes for entertainment and celebration already was standard practice.

Firecrackers in the New World

By the time the first English settlers arrived in the New World, the aristocracy no longer had a corner on access to firecrackers and fireworks. Bringing the fun of firecrackers with them, the colonists used fireworks to scare away unfriendly Native Americans and celebrate important occasions. After the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1777, firecrackers and fireworks lit American skies in celebration of the Fourth of July. Firecrackers and fireworks also marked the inauguration of George Washington as first president of the United States.

New Colors

Orange and white sparks and flashes were the only colors seen exploding from firecrackers and fireworks until the 1830s. Around this time, Italian "fire masters" developed new compounds using different metallic salts with potassium chlorate to produce the wide variety of colors enjoyed today from firecrackers and fireworks worldwide.

References

• Phantom Fireworks
• History of Fireworks
• Cultural China