Fireworks Blog

Those days, because of the new years eve, I was remembering my old times (around 2003) when I have found a lot of unexploded (dud) Chinese fireworks cake bombettes. I am here describing them, because I want to find if they are still used today in some place of the world (if you know, please write in the comments). Basically they have a "pear" like format, I think about 1 inch in diameter and have no hemispheres. Inside, there were some black powder granules and stars mixed, wrapped in a piece of tissue paper and then with kraft paper with glue just in the last layers. The use was traditional Chinese time fuse. The effect was low noise (due to the black powder and also the low quantity of it) and colors I think was red, green and yellow. Below, we have 2 images of what I tried to describe above, a drawing and a photo of a Japanese salute report I have found that I think is very similar but not the same. If you know or have seen something similar, please tell me in the comments...

Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is famous for it's huge and beautiful fireworks show every year. But last New Years Eve (2024 - 2025), many viewers were disappointed with the show because of a heavy smoke cloud that overshadowed the beauty of the spectacle right after the first 2 minutes. But what was the reason of so much smoke? We all know that almost any kind of firework cause lots of smoke. Many people think the problem was caused by the quality of the products, but the main reason for that was probably the high humidity rate. In Rio de Janeiro, the highest humidity rates occur between december and april. According to INMET (National Institute of Meteorology), the humidity at the moment of the show was around 89% , so this, along with an unfavorable wind, was the main reason for the problem. Below is a picture of the beautiful start of the show: But unfortunately some minutes later: Anyway, with lots of smoke or not, for us that love fireworks it's a...

These days I watched a video of a strange fireworks device I have never seen and discovered it's name is " Double Voice Cracker ". Today I will tell you what I have learned about it. Also known as Heaven and Earth or Bing Bong , Double Voice Crackers are a chinese type of firecracker that essentially produces 2 bangs, one in the ground an another in the air. It is like a mortar and shell self contained in a single tube divided in the middle by a clay (or other hard material) plug with a timing fuse. Below is a diagram of a Double Voice Cracker from the book " The Best of AFN II ": Before igniting the fuse, the device must be placed over a hard and flat surface with the lifting charge facing the ground. When the fuse is ignited, the lifting charge explodes and kicks the tube into the air, while igniting the time fuse and finally the report charge explodes in the air. The report charge could be flash powder or any other effect. For more safety ...

Baianinha is the name of a small Brazilian firework. Essentially, it is a spinner that acts like a spinning top. You put it on the ground, light up the fuse and then the fire spray comes out from the fuse hole causing the "Baianinha" so spin around itself making an effect similar to a spinning top. Below is a Baianinha from Fogos Lider (one of the biggest fireworks factories in Brazil) Check how it works in this video:

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most vibrant and celebrated festivals in India and around the world. Symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, Diwali brings joy, unity, and a magical glow to every corner of the country. One of the most breathtaking aspects of this celebration is the spectacular display of fireworks that light up the night sky. The History and Date of Diwali Diwali has its roots in ancient Hindu mythology and traditions, with stories varying across regions and cultures. The most popular narrative is from the Hindu epic, Ramayana , where Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and the defeat of the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya celebrated their return by lighting rows of lamps, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In other traditions, Diwali is associated with the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity. It is...

The fireworks industries of Japan and China represent two distinct approaches to pyrotechnics, shaped by centuries of cultural heritage, technological innovation, and market dynamics. Historical Origins China is widely recognized as the birthplace of fireworks, with a history dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). In contrast, Japan adopted fireworks later, primarily during the Edo period (1603-1867), developing a unique aesthetic and technological approach. Manufacturing Approaches Chinese Fireworks Industry Dominates global production, accounting for approximately 90% of world fireworks manufacturing Characterized by large-scale, low-cost production Massive industrial clusters in provinces like Hunan and Guangdong Strong export-oriented manufacturing model Focuses on volume and economic efficiency Japanese Fireworks Industry Emphasizes precision, artistic quality, and aesthetic design Smaller-scale production with high-value specialty prod...

There are many ways to light up fireworks: regular matches, lighters, blow torches and so on. Although, in modern times there is a more secure way - the Electric Match . Not only more secure but it also provides the possibility of better synchronization of firing. The Electric Match is, as the name says, an electrically triggered match. It is build of a few components: 2 wires, a bridge (a thin metal between the wires with low electrical resistance) and a pyrotechnic composition (pyrogen) coated with some kind of lacquer for protection. When an electric current of about 1 Ampere passes through the bridge, it heats up and incinerates the pyrogen. Below you can see a simple drawing of its parts and the electric schematic: Electric matches are usually connected to firing systems that also have the ability of testing the connecticity of the electric matches (testing open or short circuits), so there is an upper current and lower current that the bridge can support before heating. ...