From: kempmp@phoenix.oulu.fi (Petri Pihko)
Subject: Books on pyrotechnics (was: Re: FAQ's...)
Organization: University of Oulu, Finland
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 22:53:39 GMT

This is a list of books I have found useful, with short comments. 
Books on pyrotechnics are rarely reviewed; the only ones I have seen are
those in Pyrotechnica. 

There _are_ books on explosives and theatrical effects, too, but I have
(intentionally) left these out; maybe someone more familiar with them 
could post another list. 

Many people have complained that Pyrotechnica Publications, one of the
best sources of pyrotechnic literature, processes orders extremely slowly.
This is sad, especially since their material is excellent.

- Petri

---

This is a short list of books on pyrotechnics. An asterisk (*) indicates
books I have read (and would willingly send more info about), two asterisks
indicates books I have read and found especially valuable. 

The prices may be out of date, but not by much.

Drewes, John M. The Best of AFN Two. (Illus.). 200p. (Orig.).
     05/1990. Paper. $19.95. (ISBN 0-929931-06-8). American
     Fireworks News.
     (**)

     This is an excellent review of current practices of today's fireworks
     amateurs and professionals. 200 pages full of practical information,
     but the reader is expected to know the basics. Still, even for a
     novice, it is worth every penny.

Drewes, John M., editor. Fireworks Yearbook, 1989. (Illus.). 192p.
     (Orig.). 03/1990. Paper. $19.95. (ISBN 0-929931-05-X).
     American Fireworks News.

Oglesby, Lloyd S. The Chemistry of Glitter. (Illus.). 90p.
     08/1989. Paper. $19.95x. (ISBN 0-929931-01-7). American
     Fireworks News.

Shidlovskiy, A. A. Principles of Pyrotechnics. (Illus.) Moscow 1964.
(Translated by Foreign Technology Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio, 1974.)

Shimizu, Takeo. Fireworks from a Physical Standpoint, Pt. I.
     Schuman, Alex J., translator. Intros. by Schuman, Alex J. LC
     82-236816. (tr. from Ger.). (Illus.). vi, 67p. 11/1989. Repr.
     of 1981 ed. Paper. $15.00 facsimile. (ISBN 0-929388-00-3).
     Pyrotechnica Publications.
     (**)

Fireworks from a Physical Standpoint was originally an one-volume text
published in German. For various reasons, Pyrotechnica Publ. has divided it
into four parts. Contents of the first part:

   Introduction, The Fundamental Principle of the Burning of Fireworks 
   Compositions, Burning Velocity, The Principle of Intensity and Duration,
   Planning the Shape and Production of Fireworks, Black Powder.

Shimizu, Takeo. Fireworks from a Physical Standpoint, Pt. II.
     Schuman, Alex J., translator. LC 82-236816. (tr. from Ger.).
     (Illus.). ii, 73p. 11/1989. Repr. of 1983 ed. Paper. $17.00
     facsimile. (ISBN 0-929388-01-1). Pyrotechnica Publications.
     (**)

   The Flame as a Light Source, Sparks as a Light Source, Intermittent or 
   Vibrational Burning Chemical Compositions, Smoke.

Shimizu, Takeo. Fireworks from a Physical Standpoint, Pt. III.
     Schuman, Alex J., translator. (tr. from Ger.). (Illus.). ii,
     63p. 11/1989. Repr. of 1985 ed. Paper. $17.00 facsimile.
     (ISBN 0-929388-02-X). Pyrotechnica Publications.
     (**)

   The Theory of Motion of the Night Chrysantemum Shell, Ballistics of
   Fireworks Shells, The Sensitivity of Chemical Compositions, Principles
   for Preventing Accidents, Planning the Beauty of the Fireworks Flowers.

Shimizu, Takeo. Fireworks from a Physical Standpoint, Pt. IV.
     Schuman, Alex J., translator. (tr. from Ger.). (Illus.). iii,
     55p. 12/1989. Paper. $18.00. (ISBN 0-929388-03-8).
     Pyrotechnica Publications.
     (**)

   Appendixes: 1 - The Properties of Fuels, 2 - Equations and Tables for
   Designing the Shape of Items with Constant Innerburning Surfaces, 3 -
   Equations and Tables for Designing Rocket Motors, 4 - Ballistic Functions
   for the Chrystantemum, 5 - Sensitivity Ratings of Various Chemical 
   Compositions from the Results of Sensitivity Tests, 6 - The Reaction
   Tendencies of Two Substances when Exposed to Moisture, 7 - The Burning
   Velocity of Black Powder in Air,
   Addendum - Musical Symbol Notation, Literature, Index.

If the Shimizu's classic book (see below) didn't quite answer your questions,
try these. Fireworks from a Physical Standpoint is still the best scientific
treatise of fireworks and their technology.

American Fireworks News Staff. Fireworks Importers' Guide &
     Directory. Drewes, J. M., editor. 85p. (Orig.). 06/1989.
     Paper. $19.95. (ISBN 0-929931-02-5). American Fireworks News.

Drewes, John M., editor. Fireworks Yearbook, 1988. (Illus.).
     (Orig.). 05/1989. Paper. $19.95. (ISBN 0-929931-04-1).
     American Fireworks News.

Drewes, John M. Making a Living in Fireworks. (Illus.). (Orig.).
     08/1989. Paper. write for info. (ISBN 0-929931-03-3).
     American Fireworks News.

Philip, Chris. A Bibliography of Firework Books: Works on
     Recreative Fireworks from the Sixteenth to the Twentieth
     Century. (Illus.). xxx, 170p. 09/1988. Repr. of 1985 ed.
     Hardcover text edition. $14.95. American Fireworks News.

Shimizu, Takeo. Fireworks: The Art, Science & Technique. 2nd ed.
     LC 88-18390. (Illus.). xii, 337p. 10/1988. Repr. of 1981 ed.
     $45.00. (ISBN 0-929388-04-6). Pyrotechnica Publications.
     (**)

This is probably the best single book available. If you can't afford anything
else, buy this one. Many people refer it to as "The Shimizu's book".

JICC Staff. Hanabi: The Fireworks of Japan. (Illus.). 80p.
     07/1986. $24.95. (ISBN 0-87040-706-6). Japan Publications (U.
     S. A.), Incorporated.

Conkling. Chemistry of Pyrotechnics: Basic Principles & Theory.
     216p. 06/1985. $69.95. (ISBN 0-8247-7443-4). Dekker, Marcel,
     Incorporated.
     (**) 
    
Conkling's text is an excellent starting point. If you are a novice, try to get
hold of this one. Somewhat easier to read than Shimizu's Fireworks from a
Physical Standpoint, but the chemistry is treated in detail.

Lancaster, Ronald. Fireworks Principles & Practice. (Illus.).
     1972. $30.00. (ISBN 0-8206-0216-7). Chemical Publishing
     Company, Incorporated.
     (*)

Weingart, George W. Pyrotechnics. (Illus.). 04/1968. Repr. of 1947
     ed. $30.00. (ISBN 0-8206-0112-8). Chemical Publishing
     Company, Incorporated.
     (**?)

Weingart is another classic text, containing detailed info on the construction
of gerbs, pinwheels, grasshoppers and all those nice small pretty devices.
However, the materials and formulas they used prior to 1947 are somewhat
questionable for today's safety conscious pyrotechnists. 


In addition to books, there exists a journal (serial?) called Pyrotechnica.
Excellent and detailed articles on pyrotechnics - although somewhat more
expensive than the books. 14 issues have been published. Pyrotechnica is
_the_ Journal everyone is referring to.

Subscribing to American Fireworks News and being a member of PGI (in order
to receive the PGI Bulletin) is another recommended way of learning more.


Addresses:

American Fireworks News
Star Route Box 30
Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328

The Pyrotechnics Guild International Inc.
Secretary-Treasurer Ed Vanasek
18021 Baseline Avenue
Jordan, Minnesota 55352

PGI also sells back issues of the Bulletin and reprints of the best articles.

Pyrotechnica Publications
2302 Tower Drive
Austin, TX 78703

Pyrotechnica sells Shimizu's books and Pyrotechnica. 




--
 ___. .'*''.*        Petri Pihko    kem-pmp@          Mathematics is the Truth.
!___.'* '.'*' ' .    Pihatie 15 C    finou.oulu.fi    Physics is the Rule of
       ' *' .* '*    SF-90650 OULU  kempmp@           the Game.
          *'  *  .*  FINLAND         phoenix.oulu.fi  -> Chemistry is The Game.



--
 ___. .'*''.*        Petri Pihko    kem-pmp@          Mathematics is the Truth.
!___.'* '.'*' ' .    Pihatie 15 C    finou.oulu.fi    Physics is the Rule of
       ' *' .* '*    SF-90650 OULU  kempmp@           the Game.
          *'  *  .*  FINLAND         phoenix.oulu.fi  -> Chemistry is The Game.
Newsgroups: rec.pyrotechnics