New-York tribune., 1868-06-25
THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.
G. W. 5.

THE MANUFACTURE OF FIREWORKS, SNAKES,
ROCKETS, TIRE-CRACKERS, AND PIN-WHEELs.
The manufacture of the fireworks which play
prominent and demOnsratve part IN all our national
celebrations has always been hidden 10 the general
public ana is for the purpose OF revealing its mysteries
that our reportcrrecenty vsedthc extensive manufac
tory Of the Mcssrs j. g. Edge in Grccnst Jersey city.
The pyrotcchuic art imperfectly known in Oriental
countries centuries ago. and the Chinese and Greeks
have been particularly skul I'm it, The introduction
of fireworks into the United States dates only far back
as 1896 Thomas Patrick, native Of England established
the first laboratory for their manufacture ~ o country
in 1921 in Castle Garden, and 10 was from TINS man tat
Mr. Isaac idGe ST. now deceased @htalheG MS hoHi
edge OF the art, though they nave since greatly
improved. by study aud numerous experiment.;
pieces OF fireworks that are witnessed ON eacI
recurring anniversary Of our National lndepcn-
denco. When Mr. Isaac Edge first established his
laboratory the art Of making fireworks was most
imperfectly understood. and in no way up 10
me standard required by the pn9nc wants or sat!r, ,
but by an attentive application 20 ulc SiiuS OF lne
chemical prODerties OF the materials used they have
heightened but their number has been increased,
and combination Of beautiful coOrs, has been brought
into use. and with that wonderful raWdty 0f change
winch eXcites the wonder and admiration OF spectator
The accuracy the extent and perfection Oi the lnstah
neous changes in single burning piece not only IN MS
coors but In its form, and the perfect system
observed IN al these various respects, are cyl-
dcnccs OF the skill and scientific knowledge
The firm OF Messs j. g. J. EdSe successors to isaac
Edge with a view to filling orders OF q special nature
manufactured designs of great beauty aud brancy
which have been adapted 10 almost any subject or 0cca
sion, and their speciality Is to manufacture coEpiaicd
pieces. celebrated tobacco firm IN this city, for IN
stance has given orders for and the Messs Edge have
prepared, several pieces Of fireworks embcmatcal Of
their business. giving the firm name aud the iuuumcr
able symbols Of their business The Mesrs Edge average
10 receive in their sales SOO0m each season In Tins
connection print below digest Of the nature and
properties OF the ingredients by which fireworks are
Fireworks are generally divided into two classes those
which compose the first are chiefly sqmb,. scrpcnts,
crackers, sparks maIroons Saucsons, pE-whccs, lead
gcrbes Roman candles, and rockets; these, by
their requiring but little deXterity IN the preparation, are
called single hleWoIks, ana are placed among the trst
class. Others which are Of more difficult construction,
are called compound or complex fireworks, and constitute
the second class THESE CONSIST OF suns moons ana Stars,
wheels globes, balloons, batteries OWerots. &c&c DC
these generally composed Of several Of the suge
pieces mentioned III the frst class, ana are arranged on
suitable framework according TO the taste O the operator,
and connected with each other by long pipes filed with
inhammaOle composition called leaders, and hrcd by
means OF quick-matches. Serpents are generally made
about six eight inches long, and about half inch IN
diameter they sometimes made straight and also with
achOke in the middle OF thcm,a they derive thcrnamc
from the Kissing noise which they make when fired or
move. BY ordinance Of the Common Council, passed
hidden within the city limits, but this prohibition, like
all others Of similar character IS frequently violated
are constructed Of long wire former" about three
sxteenths Of an inch in diameter ON this wire
formed the pipes which, being filed with composition
afterward rolled around small circle Of wood
to form helix or spiral line The cases forming the
funnel with long ube made 50 as easily TO pass down
the case which is gradually hled by shaking The conp9
one OF them Is closed at one end, aud pasted
than half an inch thick and one inch in
diameter end secured at every turn with sealing wax
When this Is all wound round the circle and the wheel is
not sufficiently large, second may be inserted into
the mouth OF the last taking that the end introduced
only loosely twisted otherwise might Obstruct
nunicatiOn, and destroy the effect This being properly
The spra is continued I'M the same wav as before unf
ne Wlpp bq % ora
cOrdng 10 taste. The central block must be pierced in
the middle for the purpose Of receiving strong pin
small piece of wre by which the wheel may be attached
wire being inserted into the Iith OF haze.sck the
wheel without any danger may be let OFF" in the hand
the impulse Of the flame against the air forces back the
the whole Of the composition is consumed
stars are small paper globes filled with a composition
that emits most beautiful radiating light which has
been compared 10 the light Of those endless beauties
which adOrn our celestial hemisphere" Roman Candles
the LAYERS Of composition nerpOsed balls or stars
When the have been properly rolled and dried and
the bottoms firmly secured by tying them with strong
wine little dry clay Is rammed in previous to putting
I'm the composition and this leaves better bottom to the
over tis Is placed small quantity OF corn powder
and small piece Of paper is inserted 20 prevent the com
position from mixing with the powder then quantity Of
composition is put IN according TO the design OF the opera
tor this when Tamned down hard fills the case about one
sixth of its hight then over this is placed small piece OF
paper covering about twothrds Of the diameter, then
little corn powder ana upon that Dali is 70 De placed
the ball 70 be somewhat less IN diameter than the case
over the first ball more OF the composition is 10 pe nfO
duced and pressed lightly down until the case Is about
onethrd full when 10 Is raInned down; then piece OF
paper little powder and il another ball. 80
that the case thus hed after tins will contain
five six balls with regular beds OF composition
between and above them. When the Is thus filled,
1t capped with ouchpaptr ny pasilng II around me
orihce and little priming Of mealed powder being
added, the piece is finished
SkyrOckets consist OF strong paper cylinders, which,
being filed with the proper composition, rammed hard,
and fire being applied TO their aperures they caused
ascend into the air in any required direction They
have generally head fixed TO them containing corn
powder, sparks, and other decorations which, when
the body OF the rocket s consumed takes fire. burst In
the air and produce q most beautiful appearance.
Some rockets made TO with great We
lOcity along q liBe,l and called line-rOckets.
The rockets Of larger dimensions, instead Of Rranuated
powder the cOlns pot containing the stars serpens,
peards &e &e adapted TO the top Of the This
peard Is small round box OF tin plates united to the
diameter Of the case and is filed with fine gunpOwder,
which is deposited the composition after the rammng
and the remaining paper folded down keep II
The peard produces ITS effect when the rocket In the
air, and the composition is consumed The after furui
ture ls attached 20 the rocket by adjusting
10 ts head an empty pot OF larger
dimensions than itself In order that IL may contain the
various appendsges winch render so superior to the
ouer in the beauty and spendOr of Its eicatiOn Be-
sac ine sky and Line rockets there also towering
honorary Cadueeus signal and table rockets, all made
OI slllAr nature and forn and composed In great