Who invented fireworks?

It is believed that fireworks were invented 2000 years back in China but no sure records say as to who invented it. The most believed legend says that a cook in China accidentally left some saltpeter in the fire and it produced a different kind of flame. Later the mixture of charcoal, sulphur and gunpowder were used in producing fireworks. The credit of inventing fireworks also goes to a Chinese monk Liu Yang of Hunan Province. He produced fireworks by filling gunpowder in bamboo tubes that would burst giving out a loud sound. It was generally done on festive days like New Year’s Eve to frighten evil spirits and keep them away.

The fireworks traveled to Europe through China only when explorers and travelers like Marco Polo carried it along. The Europeans were more interested in its use in military science for manufacturing and developing cannons. The Italians have been credited to produce the first formal fireworks of different bright colors that were lit and shot up into the sky.

The trained persons who lighted the fireworks were named as master of fireworks, fire masters, wild men or green men. Fireworks became a part and parcel of all celebrations slowly.

Fireworks today are quite similar to that what we had in the past, but the latest fireworks are more pretty, more colorful and more decorative. They produce less air pollution controlling on smoke and fumes.