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From the Vault: The Invention of Fireworks

Stuff To Blow Your Mind

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The Terror Weapon of the Byzantines

A 14th century manuscript includes a recipe for making fun recreational fireworks. Because of the danger posed by fireworks, it accompanies its recipes with protective magic spells that you can use against the fire. It is widely attested that Queen Elizabeth I of England loved fireworks. The 17th century book called pyrotechnica is known to be entirely about how to make fireworks for fun.

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