Bang!

Pyrotechnics are all around us—and they have been for generations.

The science and craft of creating fireworks is called pyrotechnics. The word comes from two Greek words: pyro, meaning “fire,” and techne, meaning “art.” The art of fire. Have you ever seen or used a pyrotechnic device? Maybe you’ve held a sparkler at a wedding, attended a fireworks show to ring in the new year, or even simply struck a match. Fireworks in particular have long played an important role in cultural and religious celebrations, entertainment events, major holidays, and more. And many hobbyists like to create, use, or collect fireworks just for fun. From ground-level fountains to handheld flares to airborne rockets, discover how pyrotechnics were invented and how people have utilized them throughout the centuries. Then explore how modern fireworks are made, what types are available, and how to stay safe when using them. Fireworks feature in all sorts of celebrations and hobbies. What new displays might light up our future? Find out all this and more in Bang!

Author Biography

Ron Miller has worked as a freelance writer and illustrator for more than 30 years. Many of his illustrations appear in magazines like Astronomy and Scientific American. He has also worked on motion pictures and created postage stamps. (One of his stamps is attached to a spacecraft headed for the planet Pluto!) He has also written short stories and novels and has even created a comic book.