The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-04
FANCY PYROTECHNICS.
How Rockets and Other Explosives are Made
The Chemicals Used.

Philadelphia Record
Very little gunpowder is used now in the man
ufacture of fireworks, and whore years ago that
explosive was really the only active ingredient
to- day its proportion is scarcely rs per cent. of
the agencies employed to procure a clever device
Many fireworks are manufactured from the same
ingredients as gunpowder-nitrate of potash
flowers of sulphur and charcoal-though in diff
ferenJ proportions and varying according to the
nature of the explosion or combustion sought to
be produced. The more rapid the combustion
the more force is obtained and the grander the
effect
character the composition is the same, being
formed by the union of such chemicals as will
give the brilliant and vari-colored lights. The
execution of The design is a matter of conceit
entirely. The chemicals which thus constitute
the bases Of the finer works are strontia, which
give the rich red flame; nitrate and chlorate of
barium, to which one is indebted for the mag
nlhcent green tint of proper pyrotechnic blaze;
copper, which supplies the blue. and sodium, the
source of the yellow tint. This combination of
colors by dexterous manipulation, when ignted
unfoldS in the night the scenes of dazzling
beauty that enrapture the nordes to whom the
word fireworks is an irresistible talisman
The explosive force necessary to agtate piece
charged with these chemical ingredients is de-
rived from supply of gunpowder regulated in
quantity to suit the pyrotechnists DESIRE and pre-
pared in the proportion of 70 per cent of nitrate
of potash 10 per cent. of charcoal and Is per
cent. of sulphur. Little is seen of categorical
and descriptive sketches. such as 'the Goddess
of Liberty" Washington Horseback" and
the like, except on public occasions. They arc
too expensive and too unwiedy for private use
The rocket, above all other devices, is the most
popular, not only because of the convenience
with which 1T can be handled but for the mag
nifcent effect produced when, mounting into the
sky, it cracks into countless stars, shedding "a
grand effulgence across the face of the firma
ment. There is always grandeur in attitudes
and no one appreciates this better than a
pyrotechnist. A recent clever invention is an
asteroid rocket which. upon reaching it's great
est height, throws out two balls Of fire suspended
from parachutes. They float away in the breeze
and change coors while Ia motion.
The bombsheli is the most effective of all the
projected to a great height. 1t is dangerous to
life and limb unless in skillful hands.
The principle is the same as in the military she'll
the casing being made of paper instead of heavy
metal. Two hollow hemispheres are charged
with innumerable conical shaped stars made
from COMPRISING coloring matter, and when the
halves are joined together and paper sealed they
are thrown from mortar. Unless the stars are
very carefully arranged they are apt to detonate
| by the force of the powder exploded in the
mortar. The distance to DO travelled by she'll
before the stars shall break is regulated
with fuse running four, fve ten, fifteen or
| adjunct to all fancy fireworks is simple con
| trivance. 1t is made by soaking ordinary cot
ton wick in compound Of meal powder gum