Daylight fireworks

Aspects of special effects described in this chapter include fuses (quickmatch and plastic fuse), lances (small coloured flares), set-pieces and devices (assemblies consisting of various types of fireworks linked together), flash, bang and whistle compositions and daylight fireworks (smoke puffs and coloured smokes). Finally, the electrical firing of firework displays is discussed. 

Smoke shells and rockets are used to produce smoke clouds for military signaling and, in daylight fireworks, for ornamental effects. The shell case or rocket head is filled with a fine powder of the desired color, which powdered material need not necessarily be one which will tolerate heat, and this is dispersed in the form of a colored cloud by the explosion of a small bag of gunpowder placed as near to its center as may be. Artificial vermilion (red), ultramarine (blue), Paris green, chrome yellow, chalk, and ivory black are among the materials which have been used, but almost any material which has a bright color when powdered and which does not cake together may be employed. 

Tbis gives smoke of a very pretty bright cobaltic blue. The daylight firework display has become remarkably pretty from the use of this dye in place of indigo, which gives only a dark blue smoke,... 

Fountains are particularly suited to festive occasions such as weddings, where silver and gold can be produced alternately from the same fireworks to give graceful arches and fans, or they may be used to supplement other effects such as personalised messages with hearts and flowers. Alternatively, the larger fountains can make successful contributions to daylight pyrotechnics displays. 

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