DIY Fireworks Blow Away Factory-Made Displays

[n2doc]

By Danielle Venton





On the Fourth of July, the sky above towns across the nation will glow in a blitz of factory-made colors.

But some of the biggest, best and most innovative fireworks won’t be on display during the holiday. Instead, they’ll be tucked away in the garages and home workshops of hobbyists like Tom Niesen.

“I’m an old-school firework artist,” said Niesen, a 43-year-old electrical technician in Duluth, Minnesota. “I build some of the largest fireworks in the nation. It’s something very few people can do.”

Essentially all public shows will use mass-produced factory fireworks, mostly from China; competition and regulation have largely snuffed out U.S. makers. These fireworks are cheap and abundant, great for post-barbecue reverie but unsatisfying to discerning eyes.

“In municipal displays you’ll see quantity over quality,” said Niesen, a member of Northern Lighter Pyrotechnics. “For something really spectacular, the public should come to the conventions of fireworks clubs.”


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http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/07/diy-fireworks/

[WillParkinson]

1. Yes, I'm impressed!

Those are beautiful.

[Scuba]

2. In the late 1980's (?) I attended the American Pyrotechnics Assn display...

...during their annual convention in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Wow! Double wow. Amazing.


If you like fireworks, consider attending one of their shows. Next up:

2011 APA Annual Meeting & Convention

Starlight, Starbright Seattle
September 13-17, 2011


http://www.americanpyro.com/

[bvar22]

3. Those are beautiful, but...

...as a FireFighter,
this scares the jebus out of me.

Living in a rural area,
its bad enough to try to save someone's home that is filled with hunting ammunition.
Even black powder is becoming more popular due to the longer Hunting Season.

I really hope this doesn't become the latest fad.
It looks like these people play with enough explosives to take out a city block.
What could possibly go wrong? :shrug:


This is something that is better to leave up to the Professionals.....In CHINA!