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A History of Fireworks
From Their Origins to the Present Day by John Withington
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People have always felt the urge to reach for the sky—even in dark times.
These dazzling shows? They’re part of a human story stretching back millennia.
In A History of Fireworks, John Withington traces the dazzling evolution of pyrotechnics—from bamboo blasts in ancient China and royal spectacles in Europe to today’s global light shows. With meticulous detail and contagious enthusiasm, he reveals how fireworks have expressed power, celebration, and hope across cultures.
SMARTEST TAKEAWAYS
The Explosive Story Behind the Sparkle
1️⃣ Fireworks Connect Us Across Time & Culture: From Han Dynasty firecrackers to Fourth of July displays, fireworks have united communities worldwide in shared moments of awe and celebration.
2️⃣ They’re More Than Spectacle: Fireworks have served serious roles including signaling battles, announcing royal ceremonies, inspiring scientific advances—and even attempting to summon rain and carry messages across islands.
3️⃣ Behind Every Show Lies Skill & Chemistry: Learn about the art of color via metallic salts, the rise of silent displays to protect wildlife, and cautionary tales of pyrotechnic mishaps—from household experiments gone wrong to industrial disasters.
John Withington is one of Britain's leading disaster historians and has written six books on the history of disasters.
INSIGHTFUL EXAMPLE
The Ruggieri Family’s Color Relevation
In 18th-century Paris, Claude Ruggieri pioneered colored fireworks by experimenting with metal salts and early chemistry—creating a brilliant green flame for Napoleon’s wedding in 1810. This breakthrough turned fireworks into vibrant art, and sparked new global experimentation in pyrotechnics.
BOOK FACTS
A History of Fireworks from Their Origins to the Present Day
First Published: October 16, 2024
Print length: 336 pages
Listening length: N/A
Ratings: 5.0 Amazon
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