The History of Fireworks

A year ago on the 4th of July we did economics of hot dogs, so we thought we'd address the economics of fireworks. China now mass produce them on a scale that means that they dominate all of the private market for fireworks. American firework culture was largely an import, originally from Europe in the 18th century. The ingredients are 25% potassium nitrate, 15% charcoal and 10% sulfur.