The riddle wasn't solved until chemistry advanced further in the twentieth century. Look at the following table comparing colors and their wavelengths. The wavelengths are given in nanometers, or billionths of a meter. These days, other metals are added for brightness or special effects. For example, aluminum and magnesium are added to make electrifying white light.
Titanium adds sparks and a mighty kaboom.
Zinc helps create dreamy smoke clouds. View NOVA Online's interactive periodic table to learn about other elements used in making fireworks. Fireworks Anatomy For fireworks to perform as expected, they need to be rather elaborately engineered. They hold the metal salts and other chemicals and materials that create the colors and patterns. Breaks are the separate cardboard sections that separate the multiple stages of a shell.