Pyrotechnics, History

Ref 130, p 220) and by Great Britain (Vol 3, C498-R). These rockets utilized BlkPdr as proplnt, fuse (Ref 122) and as an expl. Up to the middle of the last century the history of pyrotechnics is the history of BlkPdr. Even now, as will be discussed in Section 7, large quantities of BlkPdr are used as an igniter. By the late 18 th century a new age in pyrotechnics commenced thru the synthesis of K chlorate (Vol 2, C190-R), the discovery of Fulminates (Vol 6, F216-R) and the identification of the minerals which would impart color to a flame. The discovery of electricity brought about pure chemicals and hence, better flame colors, new oxi-... 

Among the more specialized books is the recent Handbook of Pyrotechnics by K.O. Brauer (Ref 152) which covers, its title notwithstanding, chiefly aspects of ordnance engineering as it applies to space technology, unlike the Aerospace Ordnance Handbook (Ref 133) which contains useful information on pyrotechnics which is not restricted to space applications. For civilian pyrotechnics, the Rev. R. Lancaster s book (Ref 145) is current, while the history of pyrotechnics in antiquity was scholarly presented by J. Partington (Ref 130)... 

Kelly, Jack. Gunpowder alchemy, bombards, and pyrotechnics, the history of the explosive that changed the world. New York Basic Books, 2004. x, 26lp. ISBN 0-465-03718-6... 

In North America the problem of moisture absorption has been addressed by developing a moisture resistant gunpowder substitute based on potassium nitrate but augmented with potassium perchlorate. The latter is said to absorb less moisture than the nitrate at a given humidity. In addition, the gunpowder substitute contains a hydrophobic binder, called ethyl cellulose, (2.22) (celluloses have a history of use in pyrotechnics) together with an organic fuel, known as phenolphthalein, (2.23) which is said to enhance the bum rate. 

Why should someone working in pyrotechnics and related areas bother to study the basic chemistry involved Throughout the 400-year "modern" history of the United States many black powder factories have been constructed and put into operation. Although smokeless powder and other new materials have replaced... 

This book outlines the basic principles needed to understand the mechanism of explosions by chemical explosives. The history, theory and chemical types of explosives are introduced, providing the reader with information on the physical parameters of primary and secondary explosives. Thermodynamics, enthalpy, free energy and gas equations are covered together with examples of calculations, leading to the power and temperature of explosions. A very brief introduction to propellants and pyrotechnics is given, more information on these types of explosives should be found from other sources. This second edition introduces the subject of Insensitive Munitions (IM) and the concept of explosive waste recovery. Developments in explosive crystals and formulations have also been updated. This book is aimed primarily at A level students and new graduates who have not previously studied explosive materials, but it should prove useful to others as well. I hope that the more experienced chemist in the explosives industry looking for concise information on the subject will also find this book useful. 

A. St. H. Brock, Pyrotechnics The History, and Art of Fireworks Making, London, 1922. This is a scholarly and handsome book, bountifully illustrated, which contains excellent accounts both of the history of fireworks and of present manufacturing practice. The author comes from several generations of fireworks makers. 

A mixture known as black powder revolutionized the art of warfare whenever it was applied to the propulsion of missiles. Black powder is a mixture of potassium nitrate (saltpeter), charcoal, and sulfur in varying proportions, granulation, and purity. A typical composition of a modern black powder is saltpeter 75%, charcoal 15%, and sulfur 10%.7 A mixture of saltpeter, charcoal, and sulfur with other ingredients was used in China and India in the eleventh century for incendiary and pyrotechnic purposes long before true black powder was invented.8 History often deals in conjecture and opinion and it is not known for certain when and by whom black powder was invented, or when and by whom it was applied to the propulsion of a missile from a firearm. The composition of black powder was first recorded by English Franciscan monk Roger Bacon in 1249, but he did not apply it to the propulsion of a missile from a firearm. This use of black powder is usually credited to a German Franciscan monk Berthold Schwartz in the early fourteenth century.9... 

The history of incendiaries d incendiary projectiles thru WWII was reviewed earlier (Vol 7, 165). The principal advances in the intervening years have been in the wider use of metals which are known to,yield pyrophoric fragments, in the fabrication of incendiary bombs, and in the use of Zr, Ti and mischmetal. Early small arms incendiary mixts are reviewed in Ref 134, Table 5-7. As a pyrotechnic metal,... 

The early history of pyrotechnics and the early history of black powder are the same narrative. Incendiary compositions containing saltpeter, and generally sulfur, mixed with combustible materials were used both for amusement and for purposes of w ar. They developed on the one hand into black powder, first used in... 

Next to roman candles, these are perhaps the moSt popular article of the pyrotechnical craft and on good authority, seem to have antedated the candle. So much has been written about sky rockets that any general description would be superfluous. The French, in pnitis-ular. have left a moA detailed history, aomelnnes amusing in view ol present day condsdons, regarding its manU" failure. 

The encyclopedias, such as Americana, Britannica, Coilier sf Chamber sf and the German Brockhaus are generally strong on the subject of matches, especially the historical aspect, but sketchy on other branches of pyrotechnics. Nevertheless, they often make informative reading on side issues such as the history of the thermometer scales devised by Celsius, Reaumur, and Fahrenheit, the principles of optics, the phlogiston theory, etc. 

Henry B. Faber Military Pyrotechnics, The History and De-vehpment of Military Pyrotechnics, 3 Vol., Government Printing Office, Washington, 1919. 

Source Kelly, J., "Ch. 1 Fire Drug," in J. Kelly, Gunpoioder Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics The History of the Explosive That Changed the World. New York Basic Books, 2004. 

Werrett S (2010) Fireworks pyrotechnic arts and sciences in European history. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, p 181... 

Faber, Henry B. The History and Development of Military Pyrotechnics. Military Pyrotechnics, vol I. Washington, DC Government Printing Office, 1919. 

Demonstrations of scientific phenomena have a long and honourable history and the more dramatic pyrotechnic examples of chemical reactions are deservedly popular. However the gentle glow from variously coloured chemiluminescing solutions has a unique appeal. Sufficient intensity is sometimes obtainable for the demonstrations to be visible in daylight, but their appearance in all the colours of the spectrum in a totally darkened room is a memorable sight. 

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