In the Han Dynasty (206-220 BC) it is said that people would roast bamboo to produce a load sound that was intended to disperse ghosts and apparitions. In the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581 AD) this kind of sound was not only used to dispel evil but also to pray for happiness and prosperity.
At the end of the Northern Song Dynasty, the first paper tube crackers, filled with gunpowder, were produced. Crackers strung together by hemp rope, known as 'hundred-break' crackers, appeared at the end of the Southern Dynasty (fifth Century AD). Li Tian is credited as the originator of the cracker industry.
Li Tian, the Founder
There was an emperor named Li Shiming in the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). His Prime Minister, Wei Zhou, killed an evil dragon, which then came back to haunt him. He was greatly vexed and did not know what to do. Li Tian ignited a bamboo tube that was filled with a pyrotechnic composition. The ghost was frightened by the loud bang and went away. After that, the people called Li Tian the founder of crackers and every April 18th they offer sacrifices to him.
It was said that in the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, in the east of Hunan Province there were floods and droughts every year. Li Tian went to Liu Yang and was struck by the people's poverty. He set off fireworks to disperse the evil, after which, the people lived and worked in peace and prosperity. In the Song Dynasty (980-1271 AD) people set up a temple to worship Li Tian.
The Development of the Firecracker
At the end of the Sui Dynasty (581-618 AD), beginning of the Tang (618-907 AD), the famous alchemist and medicine man Sun Si Miao refined ore in a cave near the eastern side of Liu Yang, Hunan. He developed crackers and later, fireworks. His tools and workbench have been preserved to this day.
At the end of the Northern Song and the beginning of the Southern Song dynasties, firecrackers made rapid progress along side the development of social, economic and chemical sciences. In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD) firecrackers were presented to the palace as articles of tribute and were greatly enjoyed by the dignitaries of the court.
Fireworks Export
The export of fireworks began with Paozhuang, a private trading company, which had a main store and several branches. In the mid-1800's, Paozhuang began to deal in fireworks, trading by land and sea, throughout Asia and as far as Europe.
Fireworks were sold abroad in the Guangxun Period (1875-1908 AD) of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD). At first, fireworks were transported to Guangdong, then to Hong Kong or Macao where they were collected for sale and distribution to Southeast Asia. Some were also sold abroad from Shanghai. During the Xuantong Period (1909-1911 AD) fireworks were sold in twenty countries, including Singapore, India, Korea, Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Britain, America, Sweden, Egypt, Canada, Australia and other Latin America countries.
In the 1930's, economic development was hampered by turbulent international politics and persisting warfare. Many firework factories went bankrupt, product range shrank and sales were poor. Over time, the firework industry declined.
After the foundation of the People's Republic of China, the fireworks industry began to recover and then entered a golden period after 1978. When the Open Door Policy came into effect in 1980, worldwide trade began to flourish.
In current years, the fireworks export industry has opened to an expanding market. At present, few countries do not import Chinese made fireworks.
Presently, there are five bases of fireworks production in China: Liuyang (Hunan), Beihai (Guangxi), Pingxiang (Jiangxi), Jianhu (Jiangsu), (and Dongguang,Guangdong.It is not allowed to make any fireworks in Dongguang.).
Until now, 60% of fireworks in the world is from Liuyang,Hunan.
The Development of Safety Systems
Throughout the development of the fireworks industry, safety standards have become increasingly important.
The Department of Consumer Product Inspection of China has issued national standards for fireworks and firecrackers, outlining requirements for both safety and quality. These safety regulations were implemented, and explosive accidents have been reduced greatly.
Most of the fireworks factories in China that are shipping fireworks to the USA are now involved in the China Fireworks Quality Improvement Program (QIP). This is part of the testing program set up by the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory (AFSL). The goals of the program are to improve the quality and safety of fireworks distributed in the United States and this will obviously affect the quality of products shipped worldwide.
The development of superior safety systems has improved fireworks quality and guarantees the future of the fireworks industry.
