Firework Frenzy

At Disney World, it costs between $41,000 to $55,000 for the "Wishes" fireworks show per night. That is about $18.25 million a year, and that doesn't even include the costs of "Illuminations" or "Fantasmic;" with those shows added it costs about $54.75 million a year. Oh, and don't forget special events such as the Fourth of July celebration and Very Merry Christmas. Not only does Disney use fireworks frequently, but other companies in the entertainment industry use them regularly as well. So, how exactly did this "firework frenzy" get started?

It begins in China.

Historians believe that fireworks originated in China around 200 B.C. The Chinese used to use heated bamboo to ward off evil spirits. The hollow air pockets would make a "bang" sound as they were heated, exploding in the process.

Between 600 and 900 A.D. Chinese alchemists started adding ingredients such as sulfur into the bamboo to make the explosions bigger, these ingredients therefore created the first type of gunpowder.

Fireworks make their way to Europe.

More specifically gunpowder made its way to Europe. Military leaders began to use gunpowder to make more powerful weapons such as cannons and muskets. Fireworks then became popular in celebrating military victories.

During the Renaissance schools were teaching their students how to use fireworks. In the 1830s the Italians were the first to use additives in fireworks, causing them to spark like the fireworks we are used to. However, fireworks during this time included orange flashes and loud booming noises. Royalty began to use fireworks to illuminate their castles during special occasions. Did you know that Czar Peter the Great put on a five-hour fireworks display to celebrate the birth of his son?

Making their way into the New World.

Legend has is that Captain John Smith set off the first fireworks display in Jamestown in the year of 1608. On July 3, the day before the Declaration of Independence was signed, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife predicting that fireworks would be set off in celebration of the newly independent America.

In the 1890s concerned citizens created the Society for the Unnecessary Noise. This allowed restrictions to be set. Today, there are restrictions on fireworks varying state-to-state. Fireworks are regulated, certain kinds are not be used and there are specific places where consumers can purchase them. In 2009, 9,000 people were injured due to fireworks, visit the website for "National Council on Fireworks Safety" to read tips on how to stay safe.

What is the best fireworks display you have ever seen?