Pyrotechnics - The History and Art of Firework Making, Part 1
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The Origins of Pyrotechnic in the East
Pyrotechnic undoubtedly had its genesis in the East, and for that reason we will deal with its development there first. Gunpowder as a mixture of ingredients may have been known from remote times, but all evidence goes to show that its use as a propellant was not known until well into the Christian era. The composition Greek fire, known in ancient times as Naptha, was a mixture of pitch, resin and sulfur, with the addition in some cases of crude salt-peater. In many cases, earlier writers have discovered passages which they consider prove the use of firearms and gunpowder. These refer to Greek fire and similar compositions, which were used as projectiles – being thrown from machines
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