There’s something delightfully primal about fireworks. We know exactly what’s coming: bright colours, loud bangs, that brief moment of collective awe-and yet, every time, we can’t help but stare like it’s the first explosion of light we’ve ever seen. Maybe that’s the magic of it: the mix of chemistry, art, and a touch of chaos. But what actually are the origins of fireworks? Grab a sparkler (carefully) and settle in-here are 12 amazing fun facts about fireworks that might just change the way you watch the next display.
1. Fireworks are over a thousand years old
Let’s start with a bit of history, because it’s honestly wild. Fireworks date back to 9th-century China, where they were accidentally discovered. Early alchemists were mixing sulphur, charcoal, and saltpetre-probably hoping for immortality, as one does-and instead, they invented gunpowder. They packed this strange black powder into bamboo tubes, tossed it into the fire, and voilà-humanity’s first fireworks display.
2. They weren’t for entertainment at first
Fireworks didn’t start out as party tricks or national celebration staples. In fact, they were originally used to ward off evil spirits. Loud noises and bright lights were thought to scare away misfortune, so people lit them during festivals and ceremonies for protection. The irony, of course, is that many of us now associate those same loud bangs with stressful neighbours in November.
3. Colour came centuries later
Early fireworks weren’t the dazzling rainbows we see today. They were mostly orange or white, with the occasional hint of yellow. It wasn’t until the 1830s, when Italian chemists began experimenting with metal salts, that we got those vivid reds, greens, and blues. Strontium creates red, barium makes green, and copper gives that brilliant blue (though blue is notoriously difficult to perfect-many pyrotechnicians still treat it as a badge of honour when they do).
4. Blue fireworks are still the holy grail
Speaking of blue-let’s linger there for a second. Despite all our modern chemical knowledge, a truly perfect, bright blue firework remains elusive. The problem is heat: copper compounds that create blue light tend to break down in high temperatures. So, the pyrotechnic world is still chasing that flawless cobalt burst across the sky. One day, maybe.
5. There’s actual choreography behind major displays
You know those big displays where the fireworks seem to dance to the music? That’s not coincidence. Professional firework shows are choreographed with computer precision. Pyrotechnicians program every launch, fuse delay, and burst timing to sync perfectly with the soundtrack. Some of the biggest shows-think London’s New Year’s Eve or the Edinburgh Hogmanay-are planned months in advance, with software simulating how each shell will look from different angles.
6. The loudest firework ever was deafening
In 2020, a pyrotechnics company in the US set off what became the largest single firework shell ever launched-weighing a staggering 1,270 kg. It exploded over Steamboat Springs, Colorado, reaching an altitude of nearly a mile before detonating in a burst of white and red light. It was so powerful it broke a Guinness World Record (and probably a few eardrums).
7. There’s a science to the shape of explosions
Ever wondered how fireworks form hearts, rings, or smiley faces? It’s not random. Each shell contains stars-tiny pellets made of metal compounds-arranged in precise patterns inside the casing. When the firework explodes, those stars fly outward in the same shape. So, that perfect red heart above your local park? It’s geometry and chemistry working hand in hand.
8. Fireworks can travel at over 150 mph
Despite how graceful they look, fireworks are essentially controlled rockets. The lift charge that launches them skyward can send them hurtling upwards at 150 miles per hour or more. The explosion itself happens when a timed fuse ignites the bursting charge mid-air-creating those mesmerising patterns that make you forget, momentarily, that it’s all a precisely engineered detonation.
9. Not all fireworks explode
Some of the most captivating effects come from fireworks that don’t actually burst. “Fountains” and “Catherine wheels,” for example, stay grounded but still spray light and colour in hypnotic patterns. These are favourites for garden celebrations because they’re relatively safer-assuming you follow the safety distance and keep pets indoors (always a good idea).
10. There’s an art (and competition) to making them
Professional pyrotechnicians take their craft seriously-so seriously, in fact, that there are international firework competitions. Countries go head-to-head to design the most creative, synchronised displays. The Cannes Festival of Pyrotechnic Art and Malta International Fireworks Festival are two particularly dazzling examples. You’d be amazed how poetic controlled explosions can be when handled by experts.
11. The UK has its own firework traditions
While fireworks were invented in China and perfected by Italians, the British have made them part of our cultural DNA. Guy Fawkes Night, celebrated every 5th of November, is basically our unofficial firework festival. Bonfires, sparklers, and the smell of burnt wood in the crisp air-it’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. (Just don’t forget your gloves.)
12. You can buy professional-quality fireworks locally
Here’s something many people don’t realise: you don’t need to wait for a public display to see impressive fireworks. With the right safety precautions-and the right supplier-you can create something spectacular in your own back garden.
If you’re planning a big event or just fancy lighting up the sky, check out us at Anfield Fireworks, your local supplier of high-quality fireworks. We can guide you through everything from display selection to safe handling, ensuring your evening ends with applause rather than an emergency call.
The Bottom Line
Fireworks are a rare mix of science, art, and shared human wonder. They connect ancient rituals with modern celebrations, uniting crowds in that collective “ooooh” moment. Maybe that’s why they’ve lasted so long. Or maybe we just really, really like pretty lights. Either way, next time you’re watching a display, remember-you’re looking at over a millennium of innovation, chemistry, and joy exploding above your head.
