Did you know that fireworks originated in China some 2,000 years ago. The most prevalent legend has it that fireworks were discovered or invented by accident by a Chinese cook working in a field kitchen who happened to mix charcoal, sulphur and saltpeter (all commonly found in the kitchen in those days). The mixture burned and when compressed in an enclosure (a bamboo tube), the mixture exploded.
China is also the largest manufacturer and exporter of fireworks in the world.
And... in case you were wondering what chemicals that give the fireworks their color:
Red - Strontium or Lithium
Orange - Calcium
Yellow - Sodium
Green - Barium
Blue - Copper halides
Purple - Potassium or Strontium + Copper
Gold - Charcoal, iron, or lampblack
White - Titanium, aluminium, or magnesium powders
Did anyone watch the fireworks display on NBC from New York City? Well, apparently, the one for the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics in Beijing is going to be FOUR TIMES the size of it! That's like... $28 million! NYC display costs about $7.2 mil. Amazing. But, Nashville doesn't have a bad show either, if I say so based on my pictures from the roof of the Sommet Center downtown!
I love fireworks! Don't you?
Happy Independence Day! And way to go China on making fireworks by accident! We love them!
No comments:
Post a Comment