When the Continental Congress in 1776 passed its motion for independence from Great Britain, John Adams wrote to his wife that the day should be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
In the succeeding years, Adams’ prediction bore fruit (though he thought the date to be celebrated would be July 2, the day of the vote, not July 4, the date on the Declaration.) And one of the biggest parts of our Independence Day celebrations is the “Illuminations” – also known as fireworks.
But where do fireworks come from in the first place? The answer lies in Chinese alchemy.
Well, actually, I’m getting a little ahead of myself. The concept of fireworks predates what we think of as fireworks – burning chemicals, rockets, etc. The practice of making fireworks, based on the accounts we have, dates back to the second century B.C.E. in China, when people would burn bamboo to create explosions. (Try it yourself, if your local law allows it. The air pockets in the bamboo create satisfying booms as the bamboo burns.)
But of course, what really made fireworks what we know and love today is gunpowder. Gunpowder was discovered somewhat inadvertently by Chinese alchemists, who were trying to develop an elixir of immortality.
If you’re not aware, there are three primary components to gunpowder: saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal.
Chinese alchemists have a long tradition of working with all three of these chemicals. Saltpeter is relatively uncommon in Europe, because it’s more likely to form at higher temperatures. But it’s abundant in China, and records indicate that alchemists were able to determine whether they’d found saltpeter by burning it back in the 3rd century C.E. (Saltpeter turns a bright purple when you burn it, thanks to the potassium.) Saltpeter had been used for centuries prior to that, with its first mentions coming in the second century B.C.E., but it was probably in use in the 4th century B.C.E. or earlier.
Read more: This Fourth Of July, Stop To Thank Chinese Alchemists - Forbes
In the succeeding years, Adams’ prediction bore fruit (though he thought the date to be celebrated would be July 2, the day of the vote, not July 4, the date on the Declaration.) And one of the biggest parts of our Independence Day celebrations is the “Illuminations” – also known as fireworks.
But where do fireworks come from in the first place? The answer lies in Chinese alchemy.
Well, actually, I’m getting a little ahead of myself. The concept of fireworks predates what we think of as fireworks – burning chemicals, rockets, etc. The practice of making fireworks, based on the accounts we have, dates back to the second century B.C.E. in China, when people would burn bamboo to create explosions. (Try it yourself, if your local law allows it. The air pockets in the bamboo create satisfying booms as the bamboo burns.)
But of course, what really made fireworks what we know and love today is gunpowder. Gunpowder was discovered somewhat inadvertently by Chinese alchemists, who were trying to develop an elixir of immortality.
If you’re not aware, there are three primary components to gunpowder: saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal.
Chinese alchemists have a long tradition of working with all three of these chemicals. Saltpeter is relatively uncommon in Europe, because it’s more likely to form at higher temperatures. But it’s abundant in China, and records indicate that alchemists were able to determine whether they’d found saltpeter by burning it back in the 3rd century C.E. (Saltpeter turns a bright purple when you burn it, thanks to the potassium.) Saltpeter had been used for centuries prior to that, with its first mentions coming in the second century B.C.E., but it was probably in use in the 4th century B.C.E. or earlier.
Read more: This Fourth Of July, Stop To Thank Chinese Alchemists - Forbes
