Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1904-06-30
FIREWORKS ARE EXPENSIVE
Noise-Making Devices for the Fourth of July
That Cost Much Money

one OF the explosions and the animals
go floating away, Illuminated by a
flaming torch beneath similar to the
common fire balloon. This is perhaps
the most remarkable design which
has yet been invented in what is call.
ed aerial fireworks.
The most costly piece Of this set,
however, is known as the Japanese
night bombshell and Is the invention
of Japanese workman in a large fire.
works factory in New York state. The
bomb itself ranges from twelve to
thirty inches In diameter.
At the end OF it's fight it explodes
no less than seven times, actually pro-
ducing every color of the rainbow in
the form Of streamers, shooting stars,
comets, serpents, golden rain, para
chutes. whirligigs and "spreaders."
One of these bombs forms a whole e1-
hibition in itself, as the illumination
lasts fully three minutes before the
last design fades away.
The large bombs cost $50 apiece,
owing to the rare chemicals which
are used, and the amount of work
upon one, for the various compGrt-
ments contain over 200 feet of fuse,
every inch of which has to be care
fully placed in a certain position so
that it will not ignite before the
proper time and spoil the effect.
Fireworks dealers say that mines
and batteries will be very popular
this year on account Of their resem-
blance to volcanoes. The recent erup-
lions have actually caused boom in
this feature Of fireworks, as the peo-
pie desire to see the resemblance of a
volcano in miniature.
They can be procured in one or
half dozen colors. Most of them
produce fiery scales and balls, but
new design combines stars with the
balls. They have taken the place of
the roman candle to large extent
and the ordinary piece which is held
in the hands is gradually going out
of'use. One reason is that it is so
dangerous on account of the shower,
of sparks falling over the person who
holds it.
The days when the patriotic citizen
went to the fireworks dealer and pick
ed out his rockets, pinwheels and
other pieces are about over. The fire.
works man saves him all this trouble
by packing assortments in cases so
that he can buy his celebration at so
much a box, or, as already stated, by
the car load if desired.
Suppose people in the neighborhood
club together and raise $3.50 for the
evenings entertainment. They can
get large rockets, dozen large
mines, a half dozen limitations of
windmill and have the choice Of three
or four set pieces such as July A."
the Maltese cross, mammoth revolv-
ing star, "1776," and the bust Of
hero or statesman, II they desire. The
features of President Roosevelt will
be reproduced in glittering points,
eyeglasses and all, not only in this
country, but in the Philippines, for
some very large orders containing rep
reservations Of the president were
sent from San Francisco to Manila
several weeks ago.
The fashion in set designs has
changed considerably. The familiar
patriotic notices such as Peace,
Prosperity and Freedom" "The Day
We Celebrate" etc., are not so much
in demand as formerly. The people
prefer comic and curious ideas, but
the most popular are fire pictures Of
men prominent in the public eye.
1t must be confessed that the
American populace are becoming for
getful of the father of his country on
independence day, for only a few
pictures of Washington have been pre-
pared in the combinations which have
been ordered.
OF course the set pieces are far
more expensive than any other kind
of fireworks. The goddess Of liberty
and the United States coat Of arms
are among the most costly at 500
each. One Of the most elaborate de-
signs is a fiery see-saw in motion with
revolving Ferris wheels at the ends.
The price Of this mechanism Is $210.