Wheels, pyrotechnic

By contrast, a crown wheel is one of the simplest fireworks to set up. It resembles a flying saucer and rests, without ceremony, on a nail fixed in the top of a post. Although it spins at about the same speed as a Catherine wheel and uses a similar pyrotechnic composition, the crown wheel is not fixed in any way. 

CATHERINE WHEEL A hrcwork Consisting of a spiral of pyrotechnic composition in a paper case that rotates on a pin. 

A "pinwheel" set piece, reflected over water. Cardboard tubes are loaded with spark-producing pyrotechnic composition. The "pin-wheel," attached to a pole, revolves about its axis as hot gases are vented out the end of a "driver" tube to provide thrust. Sparks are produced by the burning of large particles of charcoal or aluminum. (Zambelli Internationale)... 

The French still make pulverin, for the preparation of black match and for use in pyrotechnics, by rolling the materials with balls, some of lead and some of lignum vitae, in a barrel of hardwood. They also sometimes use this method for mixing the ingredients before they are incorporated more thoroughly in the wheel mill. 

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