As a child in rural America fireworks were a rare event in the 50s. Now
they're much more common. We see them frequently in the fall at
High School Homecoming games.
I've always been fascinated by fireworks. We used to order them by
freight from fireworks companies in Ohio and South Dakota for the
annual 4th of July celebration at home. A kit for $4.95 contained a
couple of sky rockets with stars, some buzz bombs, several aerial
star shots and about a dozen packets of firecrackers. All made in
China. Those were the fun days. This was back in the 50s.
We had to order them by freight (rail train delivery) because the Post
Office wouldn't deliver them. We'd pick them up at the local rail
freight delivery office. I wonder if they even exist nowadays.
Now Pyrotechnics is one of my hobbies. Learning how to make
fireworks is really easy and the materials are mostly inexpensive.
The sounds, the sights and the smells of fireworks can be very
addictive! Incredible fun with adequate safety in mind.
Hi muDped. Here in the last century UK fireworks were mainly used to celebrate a failed attempt at bringing down parliament, Guy Fawks was the architect. " Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder treason and plot. There's no good reason why gunpowder treason should ever be forgot " For us youngsters preparation could start up to a month before the night where large bonfires were lit and an effigy of Guy Fawks was burnt. Penny for the Guy, was a common practice of wheeling the effigy in a barrow around the streets to add funding for fireworks. Penny " Bangers " were the most sought after firework by us younger one's. Prankish behaviour like ringing the bell and dropping a lit one near the doorstep then hiding in the shadows to watch the outcome. Hmmm, the things we did back then. Today, fireworks are still sold for this event but highly restricted. No bangers or jumping jacks, but much more expensive and elaborate ones, and only available to adults. A misspent childhood? Possibly !! Cheers Grum.
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Nanny state ? Left at the gate !!  |
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Topic: OUR, window on the world. (Read 310884 times)
