The Development Of Fireworks

2023 Author : Hannah Pearcy | [email protected] . Last modified: 2023-05-24 11:12

During the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220 CE), Chinese threw bamboo into the fire to cause explosions. Black powder was later used in small containers. The black powder, which is absolutely necessary for this, is one of the great four inventions of ancient China, along with paper, compass and letterpress, and scientists assume that black powder was already known in the 2nd century BC.

Firework production as a separate profession

Later, during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), ordinary people could buy various types of fireworks on the market. The earliest reports of fireworks also date from this period.

Fireworks were used to accompany many festivals, so the art and science of making fireworks in ancient China has developed into an independent profession. In China, fireworkers were highly regarded for their knowledge of complex firework assembly techniques because the Chinese originally believed that fireworks could drive away evil spirits and bring happiness and prosperity.

Fireworks as a military weapon

The first items that could be seen as New Year's Eve missiles in the broadest sense were the 10th century military arrows used by the Tang Dynasty. These so-called "arrows driven by the divinity" were principally intended to start fires and to panic the opponents through the flame and fire-breathing projectiles . Rocket-powered incendiary devices in the modern sense only appeared in the Ming Dynasty in the 13th century and had ranges of up to 300 meters.

Fireworks as a courtly representation

In the late 14th century, the use of black powder in Italy developed an independent art of fireworks in 1379, which then spread throughout Europe. Fireworks have served as courtly representation for us since the early modern period and were further developed into a special kind of event in the Baroque period. The political, representative character was always in the foreground.

Today, the sale of state-certified fireworks (BAM) is only allowed on the last three working days of the year. Acquisition and burn-up is only permitted to people aged 18 and over.

Fireworks may only be lit on December 31 and January 1.