Explained: The Design of Modern Fireworks

Fireworks are a hallmark of modern public celebrations. They delight crowds for holidays, sports games, and other major events. This level of prevalence and general enjoyment is because fireworks package dangerous explosions, loud sounds, and brilliant displays of color into one euphoric episode that can last minutes on end. Watching a fireworks display is a thrilling deluge of senses, the sort of experience that leaves people excited for next time and a hope for even louder, even brighter, and even longer displays.

Figure 1: A New Year’s firework display on the Big Island, Hawaii [1].

The History of Firework Science

Fireworks have been around for hundreds of years, although their current form is a far more recent development from the mid-1800s. Originating in China, they spread to Europe during the Medieval period, becoming a pastime of royal courts [2]. Until the Italians began adding metallic compounds to vary the emitted colors, firework shows were only orange [3]. Fireworks have been used to celebrate the Fourth of July in the United States ever since the first anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1777 [4]. As fireworks spread and became ever more popular, scientists and engineers developed new chemicals and designs to increase the exhilaration of viewers.

Figure 2: An 18th century fireworks display in England on the Thames [5].

Firework Design

Though there are many types of pyrotechnics that fall under the umbrella of “fireworks,” the characteristic feature of any fireworks display is an aerial shell. Shells are fired from a mortar - a launch tube - when the fuse ignites the launch powder. The fuse becomes a delay fuse and continues to burn as the shell is launched from the mortar. When the fuse delay expires, another charge explodes, sending colorful so-called stars into the sky [6]. Stars are the key to firework color, sound, and the explosion pattern. Different chemicals change the color while another chemical creates the flash and the bang, when its ignition in the shell creates a pressure wave that generates the loud sound.

Figure 3: A schematic of a firework shell [6].

Many shells are not spherical. Cylindrical shells have multiple compartments, storing varieties of star colors in specific patterns. Arraying the stars in certain patterns inside the shell determines how the firework looks when it explodes. Increasing the pressure force inside the shell before it explodes also increases the spread of stars across the sky. In addition to the stars, specific sound charges can also be added to fireworks to create extraordinarily loud booms [7]. This is one of the brilliant aspects of fireworks - they are highly customizable. Modern fireworks displays usually entail vast arrays of colors, explosion heights, and patterns, all because the core structure of a firework shell is totally modifiable. The relative simplicity in varying these parameters has enabled the consistent novelty and thrill of fireworks displays, for which people have a natural affinity. 

Figure 4: A diagram of the explosion timeline for a multi-compartmented cylindrical firework shell [7].

Firework Innovations and Takeaways

For those who love watching fireworks, there are some exciting technologies that are of particular interest. Since the development of the modern firework shell, perhaps the greatest advancement of fireworks has been electronic ignition and computer-orchestrated displays. Though usually reserved for professionals, these systems are becoming more available to everyday consumers [8]. One simpler system is called a firework cake, which is several mortars bundled together with a single fuse and a preset ignition sequence. These sequences can be one at a time straight up, fan out at different angles, or finale-style cakes which ignite shells much faster [9]. Other modern fireworks reduce noise and focus on the visuals, though these are often fountain, sparkling, or spinning fireworks that are ground level and not built like a usual shell [10]. On the other hand, some scale up shells to massive levels. The world record largest firework was launched in Colorado, which was approximately 3500x larger than a usual firework shell (check out the video here), highlighting the robustness of the core design of firework shells and to what extent they can be configured [11].

Figure 5: A large electronic firework display. Rows of mortars are linked up to a computer that triggers the ignition remotely according to a predetermined schedule [12].

Widespread designs are ones that are malleable and can be adapted to the situation at hand. Fireworks are so prolific because of their adaptable design; their engineering promotes innovation. Though they are inherently dangerous devices, good engineering has enabled them to be enjoyed by the masses, including by developing fuses that cannot be accidentally ignited [13]. Firework displays can become ever more thrilling as designs are modified and expanded upon while maintaining safety characteristics. Though the firework is, for most, a symbol of celebration and excitement, it is also a representation of the core principles that make engineering design timeless. 

References

[1] "New Year's on the Big Island of Hawaii." Sea Paradise, www.seaparadise.com/new-years-on-the-big-island-of-hawaii/. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[2] "History of Fireworks." American Pyrotechnics Association, www.americanpyro.com/history-of-fireworks. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[3] "Fireworks' Vibrant History." History.com, A&E Television Networks, 31 May 2024, www.history.com/articles/fireworks-vibrant-history. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[4] "Fireworks History: From Ancient China to Revolutionary America." NPR, 4 July 2024, www.npr.org/2024/07/04/nx-s1-5027826/fireworks-history-ancient-china-revolutionary-america. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[5] "The Evolution of Fireworks." Smithsonian Science Education Center, ssec.si.edu/stemvisions-blog/evolution-fireworks. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[6] "The Science of Fireworks." Exeter Science Centre, exetersciencecentre.org/projects/nibbles/the-science-of-fireworks/. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[7] "How Fireworks Work." PBS, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/anat_nf.html. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[8] "Show Firing Methods." Superior Fireworks, 27 Dec. 2017, www.superiorfireworks.com/blog/2017/12/show-firing-methods/. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[9] "Firework Cakes Explained." Mark's Fireworks, marksfireworks.com/firework-cakes-explained/. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[10] "What Are Low Noise Fireworks?" Firework Display Ltd, fireworkdisplay.co.uk/what-are-low-noise-fireworks/. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[11] "Largest aerial firework shell." Guinness World Records, www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-aerial-firework-shell. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[12] "Take a Behind-the-Scenes Look at a Professional Firework Show." KJZZ 91.5, kjzz.com/news/local/take-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-a-professional-firework-show. Accessed 20 June 2025.

[13] "Wanted to Know About Fireworks Fuses?" PyroCreations.com,www.pyrocreations.com/Pyrotechnic-Blog/wanted_to_know_about_fireworks_fuses?srsltid=AfmBOopLaObF41LnpUStSuw1XIlfoucTdWsa7FTd0zE_Jz5VDKXSWYyL. Accessed 20 June 2025.

To cite this article:
Conover, Dylan. “Explained: The Design of Modern Fireworks.” The BYU Design Review, 30 June 2025, https://www.designreview.byu.edu/collections/explained-the-design-of-modern-fireworks.