The Origins of Fireworks
Before discussing the history and future of fireworks in a city like Vancouver, the broader history of fireworks globally should first be touched on. It’s no secret today that fireworks go hand-in-hand with celebrations, and despite the bright flashes, loud noises, and sulfuric smell of gunpowder that accompanies these colorful combustibles, their history is one of celebration as well. Although closely related in design and function to many of their nefarious militarized cousins, fireworks have always existed in their own right as a peaceful device for punctuating both cultural and religious festivities. Even the familiar and often dazzling colors that are the hallmark of modern firework shows have been a key component of pyrotechnics from the start.
As mentioned above, the first recorded evidence of fireworks comes from 7th century China, where they were used in variety of festivals. Given China’s near global preeminence both culturally and economically at the time, it is no surprise that pyrotechnics soon found their way across the seas and Silk Road to other cultures as well. As the old adage goes, “that’s all she wrote,” and the tandem development of gunpowder and fireworks in the Western world is fairly well-known. Although the technology of fireworks has come a long way since the 7th century and their humble origins, there still exist the same basic categories of pyrotechnics: ground and aerial. The former type of firework is more common nowadays for amateur use and small celebrations, with the latter being the focal point of firework displays like the “Celebration of Light” in Vancouver.