History of fireworks around the world

Fireworks are impressive and fun to watch but as you buy fireworks online or go for cheap fireworks in stores, do you stop to think about the roots of these little colourful things? History has it that fireworks originated in China about 2000 years back and it is told that they were discovered only by accident by a Chinese cook who was trying to mix charcoal, sulphur and saltpetre in a bamboo tube. On witnessing the mixture explode much like the Christmas crackers of today, the Chinese tried different combinations with the ingredients.

While some sources say that it was gunpowder and not fireworks that was invented then, we now know that the invention of fireworks is attributed to the Chinese. Some other sources suggest that India might have been the birthplace of fireworks, but it is quite clear that China has the invention rights. It is also said that the Chinese pay tribute to a monk called Li Tian for the invention of firecrackers about 1000 years back. Initially, after the time of its invention, the Chinese believed that fireworks could scare away evil spirits, and so began to use firecrackers on birthdays, deaths and the New Year, though sparklers and indoor fireworks was not a popular element during that time.

While China owns the rights to the invention of fireworks, the spread of fireworks to European nations was brought about by Marco Polo. So, typically, the rockets that you see flying in the air on Guy Fawkes Night or other important occasions have to be credited to Marco Polo. While black powder, as it was initially called, was used for military purposes – in rockets and cannons, the Italians were the first to use this substance in fireworks followed closely by the Germans. Even today, a lot of companies in the US which are renowned for their fireworks displays are Italian; surely you have heard of Zambelli and Rozzi wedding fireworks displays.

Fireworks soon became popular in Great Britain too, during Queen Elizabeth’s time period; the fact that Shakespeare includes descriptions of Roman candles in his works made them all the more popular in England, causing the empire to create the position of the “Fire Master of England”. Soon after, the US started doing business with China through brokers and purchased fireworks. At that time, it can be said that the fireworks business was a strong supplement for the Chinese government aside from agriculture. Typically, after that, the Chinese offered them on a “free for all” basis and that’s the reason you find fireworks for sale everywhere in your country.