Episode 19: Fireworks: History, Chemistry, and Modern Challenges

Lily Vogue

Welcome to What the FACT?!, where we dive into strange, delightful, or sometimes downright jaw-dropping nuggets of history.

Buster McGillicuddy

And usually leave you wondering—how on Earth did we get here?

Lily Vogue

I’m Lily—your guide through all things fascinating—and today is no exception. Episode nineteen, folks, and do we have a sparkler for you.

Buster McGillicuddy

Heh, sparkler. I get it. Is this one gonna blow me away? Or just fizzle out quietly?

Lily Vogue

Oh, trust me, we've got enough boom and flash for everyone today. We’re talking fireworks—science, history, and the, uh, slightly questionable modern-day impacts.

Buster McGillicuddy

Fireworks? Oh boy. I’ve got some stories. Let me tell you: Roman candles aren’t candles, and if you use ’em wrong, they sure ain’t Roman, either.

Lily Vogue

Sounds like we’ll need to circle back to that later, Buster. But first, before we really light this metaphorical fuse, a quick shoutout to our sponsor, AI Salon.

Buster McGillicuddy

Yeah, AI Salon—the brainy folks who keep futuristic conversations flowing and my emails actually readable.

Lily Vogue

It’s like a personal stylist for your words. Perfect for making emails snappier, presentations sharper, or, you know, podcasts intros less chaotic.

Buster McGillicuddy

Hey, I resemble that remark!

Lily Vogue

Check them out at theSalon.ai for your writing glow-up. Thanks, AI Salon, for sparking some creativity in all of us.

Buster McGillicuddy

Alright, so we’ve got fireworks, sponsors, and Roman candle flubs already on the docket. Where are we starting, Lily?

Lily Vogue

Right at the beginning. Imagine this—it’s ancient China, the Song dynasty. A time of emperors, inventions, and, yes, the birth of fireworks.

Lily Vogue

Gunpowder—versatile, explosive, and in the hands of Song dynasty pyrotechnicians, pure magic. These artisans were the original creators of what would grow into the dazzling fireworks displays we know today.

Buster McGillicuddy

Wait, wait. They already had people whose job it was to blow stuff up for fun? Sounds like my Uncle Ray’s dream gig.

Lily Vogue

Pretty much, Buster. They were highly regarded artisans back then. These early firecrackers were small tubes packed with gunpowder and ignited to create loud pops to ward off evil spirits. By the 12th century, large fireworks displays were entertaining emperors!

Buster McGillicuddy

Hold on, though. Are we talking like backyard sparklers—or full-on, “Oops, there goes the palace roof” kind of displays?

Lily Vogue

Well, somewhere in the middle. A famous account from 1110 mentions a military fireworks display for Emperor Huizong... definitely not your average backyard shindig. These displays were intricate and dazzling, combining technique with theatrics.

Buster McGillicuddy

Okay, but here’s where I gotta ask—how did it go from scaring ghosts to, say, spicing up a New Year’s Eve party in Cleveland?

Lily Vogue

Great question. Fast forward to the 18th century, when Jesuit missionaries introduced fireworks to Europe. The artistry evolved—flares, colors, even musical choreography. Did you know George Handel composed music specifically for a fireworks show in 1749?

Buster McGillicuddy

Music for fireworks? That’s next-level commitment. Meanwhile, I can’t even line up my stereo and backyard grill without setting something on fire.

Lily Vogue

Speaking of which—weren’t you about to share a certain mishap that ended with sparkly potato bites?

Buster McGillicuddy

Ohhh yes. Local festival, maybe five years back. Someone had this, let’s call it “experimental” Roman candle rigged to a potato cannon. One thing led to another, and—boom—instant starchy fireworks. Glitter everywhere. Potatoes practically caramelized.

Lily Vogue

How very avant-garde, Buster. The culinary arts meets pyrotechnics.

Buster McGillicuddy

Hey, it’s not every day you get edible shrapnel. Anyway, I don’t think the fire department appreciated the creativity.

Lily Vogue

Clearly ahead of your time. But let’s steer back—what stands out is how fireworks became symbols of celebration globally, like Diwali in India or New Year’s traditions in countless cultures. From the ancient Chinese to the French storming the Bastille—

Buster McGillicuddy

Which I’m sure they celebrated with baguette confetti cannons.

Lily Vogue

—fireworks evolved as a universal way to mark joyous occasions, each culture adding its own twist.

Buster McGillicuddy

I’m sayin’—for something invented to fight off ghosts, they sure got around.

Lily Vogue

And became a true art form in the process. Now, about those breathtaking colors—they’re no accident. Artistry meets chemistry in ingenious ways.

Lily Vogue

So now that we’ve explored their fascinating history, let’s dive into what makes fireworks truly spectacular—beyond, of course, avoiding the neighborhood fire marshal’s wrath.

Buster McGillicuddy

Let me guess—it’s not sheer luck and some really enthusiastic lighter work?

Lily Vogue

Not exactly. It all comes down to chemistry, Buster. Those dazzling colors in the night sky? Each shade is the result of a precise blend of elements. Take barium—it’s what makes those greens pop with such intensity.

Buster McGillicuddy

Barium, huh? Sounds like the name of a middle school science teacher. “Alright, kids, I’m Mr. Barium, and we’re we’re gonna blow stuff up today!”

Lily Vogue

It’s a good thing you don’t teach chemistry, Buster. But yes, barium salts produce vibrant greens. Then we have strontium for those solid reds, and copper for those deep blues that seem to paint the whole night sky.

Buster McGillicuddy

Wait, blue is copper? Like the stuff in wiring? Does that mean fireworks are just, like, very festive hardware stores?

Lily Vogue

In a sense, sure. Each element interacts with heat to emit a specific wavelength of light, which translates to those vivid colors. It’s actually an ancient Chinese technique refined over centuries. And by the 18th century, Europe had gone wild trying to perfect these shades.

Buster McGillicuddy

Right, because nothing says “sophisticated evening soirée” like trying to turn your garden into a miniature explosion lab. Speaking of which, I’ve got one for you, Lily—a little date-night fireworks... “experiment.”

Lily Vogue

Oh no, this sounds promising.

Buster McGillicuddy

Okay, so a couple years ago, we’re messing around with some DIY fireworks in the backyard—

Lily Vogue

Buster, are you about to admit to a crime on the podcast?

Buster McGillicuddy

Crime? No. Creative science gone spectacularly wrong? Yes. So we tried to recreate those blues you were just talking about—copper, right? But instead of brilliance, we got, uh, smoky teal... and an air quality alert.

Lily Vogue

Smoky teal. Truly a trailblazer in avant-garde pyrotechnics.

Buster McGillicuddy

Thank you, thank you. We called it “The Accidentally Fogged Backyard Extravaganza.” Pretty sure the neighbors still think we tried to fumigate the oak tree.

Lily Vogue

Let this be a PSA, folks—leave the chemistry to the professionals unless you want a new permanent nickname from your HOA.

Lily Vogue

Now, moving on—fireworks aren’t just about color. They deliver a whole sensory experience. We’re talking light, noise, smoke, and those mesmerizing aerial effects. Each element of a display is meticulously engineered, from the crackling “time rain” to the elegant swoosh of a horsetail.

Buster McGillicuddy

Time rain, huh? Poetic. Sounds like fireworks are lowkey trying to impress us with their vocabulary.

Lily Vogue

They’ve earned it, honestly. But what’s even more exciting is where pyrotechnics are headed. Scientists are developing sustainable fireworks—less smoke, fewer toxins, and eco-friendly materials. Imagine all the magic without the guilt trip from Mother Earth the next morning.

Buster McGillicuddy

Alright, I’m intrigued. How do you even make fireworks green... uh, you know, beyond the vivid barium green?

Lily Vogue

Great question—and one we’ll dig into further when we talk about modern innovations and their impact later in the episode.

Buster McGillicuddy

Well, I’ll say this—the chemistry’s cooler than I thought. But I still think my smoky teal masterpiece should’ve gotten an award.

Lily Vogue

Alright, Buster, speaking of modern innovations, let’s bring things to the present—fireworks aren’t just about pretty colors and celebrations anymore. Lately, there’s been a boom, quite literally, in consumer sales.

Buster McGillicuddy

Oh yeah. Who needs a go-to fireworks show when your neighborhood turns into a pyro playground every holiday now?

Lily Vogue

Exactly! Sales nearly doubled during the pandemic, hitting $2.3 billion. But with all that excitement comes a few... fiery concerns.

Buster McGillicuddy

Yeah, like Cousin Joe’s “never mind the instructions” approach. Kids, don’t try that at home.

Lily Vogue

Not just Joe, Buster. Many first-time buyers learned the hard way that safety isn’t optional. Stand too close, ignore local rules, or—

Buster McGillicuddy

Or trust your Uncle Ray’s “expert” setups? Danger zone.

Lily Vogue

Exactly. Community safety has become a major talking point. And let’s dive into the environmental impact while we’re at it.

Buster McGillicuddy

Oh boy, sounds like there’s smoke in this conversation.

Lily Vogue

Literally, yes. Traditional fireworks release toxic smoke, heavy metals, and solid debris—not to mention they can scare pets, wildlife, and, in some cases, whole flocks of birds in flight.

Buster McGillicuddy

Hmm. So it’s not just dogs hiding under the couch on July Fourth? Even the geese are like, “We’re outta here!”

Lily Vogue

Exactly. In fact, studies show that birds like geese can fly hundreds of kilometers fleeing fireworks. It’s no wonder some communities are shifting to quieter alternatives, like silent fireworks.

Buster McGillicuddy

Hold it—silent fireworks? Isn't that like a mime doing a drum solo?

Lily Vogue

Kind of! They’re not totally silent, but they use smaller, quieter bursts to reduce noise trauma. Plus, they cut down on the pollutants, making them a lighter load on the environment.

Buster McGillicuddy

Gotcha. So, same oohs and ahhs, fewer “oh no, dibs on cleaning stinky Sparky later.”

Lily Vogue

Exactly! It’s a win-win. And if you’re indulging in celebrations, there are simple ways to keep things safe and sound. Follow local laws, get to know your materials, and always keep a safe distance.

Buster McGillicuddy

And, y'know, maybe don’t launch anything from a potato cannon unless you're looking for a new hobby building fences. Not that I’d know.

Lily Vogue

Solid advice, Buster. One last pro tip—tech can be your friend. Apps now provide tools to monitor fireworks shows in your area, keeping things organized and incident-free.

Buster McGillicuddy

So next time, maybe skip the backyard science experiment and tap your phone. Who knew fireworks were goin' smart, too?

Lily Vogue

That’s science and tradition evolving together, Buster. And on that note, that’s it for today’s dive into firework history, chemistry, and all that explosive modern context.

Buster McGillicuddy

Yup, from ancient pyrotechnics to starchy mishaps, we covered it all. Lily, this one really was—uh—lit.

Lily Vogue

Oh, clever. Well, thanks for joining us, dear listeners. Don’t forget to leave us a review and share your own fireworks stories online. We’d love to hear them—minus any felony confessions.

Buster McGillicuddy

And that’s all for today. See ya next time on What the FACT?!