Who Invented Fireworks?

Fireworks have a rich and complicated history; but unfortunately, no one really knows the specific person who invented fireworks. People believe, however, that the first ever firework was invented in China sometime during the 7th century (600-700 BC). The story of their invention and use remains interesting to many, in part because of the fact that there is no one clear answer as to who invented fireworks. 

Legend says that a Chinese cook once accidentally spilled some saltpeter into a fire while cooking producing an interesting kind of flame. Saltpeter is an ingredient used in gunpowder, but was also used as a type of flavoring or salt for cooking. This serendipitous discovery of gunpowder was said to have occurred some 2000 years ago.

Sulfur and charcoal, other gunpowder elements, were also typical players in early fires. Although these ingredients produced an attractive flame when burned, they would explode when they were enclosed in a piece of bamboo tube. Although this discovery occurred early, exploding firecrackers weren't produced until much later, during the Song dynasty (960-1279) by Li Tian, a Chinese monk who lived in the proximities of the city of Liu Yang in the Hunan Province. The firecrackers he produced were made by using bamboo tubes filled with gunpowder. They were lit in order to explode during the commencement of the New Year in order to scare away the evil spirits.

Much of the focus of fireworks today is on their pretty lights and colors, but their loud noises were desirable for the Chinese, and they were almost treated like religious offerings since they were believed to frighten the spirits. In fact, in the 15th century, fireworks became a traditional part of other momentous celebrations, such as weddings and military victories.

The first type of Chinese fireworks, those tubes that would shoot up in the sky, were deemed as not too useful; however, these frivolous fireworks are the predecessors of our modern rockets today.  

The Europeans Discover Fireworks

The Europeans discovered the use of gunpowder and fireworks through their eastern travels. Many believe Marco Polo’s crusades led to the first imported gunpowder from China. In Europe, their initial interest sprang form military scientists who yearned to develop and manufacture cannons.

During the renaissance era, the Italians were the first to formally produce fireworks that would showcase different colors when lit and fired up into the sky. The first Chinese firecrackers had only had white and blue colors; but, the Italians were able to produce silver and gold firecrackers as well.

The first recorded account of fireworks used for recreational purposes alone, was written in 1706 by a Frenchman named Amedee-Francois Frezier. Earlier however, Chinese historians and poets had already written about fireworks used in Chinese festivals.

When the Europeans learned of firecrackers, Queen Elizabeth II created a position for a fire official referred to him as the “Master of Fire.” His job was to ensure that royal fireworks were set up when needed. Masters of Fire were also known as “firemasters,” “green men”, or ‘wild men.” These fire experts were in high demand in many palaces and kingdoms. They were responsible for handling the programs for entertainment at various celebrations such as religious festivals, military victories, and the crowning of royalty ceremonies. They were similar to jesters and would run through crowds to warn people to stand back and to await the firecrackers. Most of these masters of fire were injured or even killed while entertaining crowds.

Fireworks reached American soil around the 17th century. It was the Europeans who brought them to celebrate their holidays and also used them against native tribes.

Fireworks Today

Most of the fireworks today are manufactured in the same way as they were centuries ago, with some minor modifications. Fireworks today include designer colors such as aqua, salmon, and pink. In 2004, the Disneyland in California USA started to launch fireworks by utilizing compressed air instead of the traditional gunpowder. To explode the firecracker shells, they used electronic timers. This allowed for increased accuracy in fireworks timing, plus it reduced smoke and fume emissions from the larger fireworks displays.

Today, fireworks have become indispensable features in celebrations all over the world.