Chinese fireworks

Chinese fireworks were probably developed from the raree shows that were popular in the 17th and 18th century, which regularly featured coloured transparent paper behind cutouts and perforations that were lit from behind with candles. Most Chinese fireworks seem to have been made in The Netherlands between 1775 and 1800. It was also popular in England in the 19th century. Hardly any large Chinese fireworks boxes were made after 1850. Simpler versions were produced for children, or they could craft their own by following instructions in children's periodicals. Editions of the Encyclopædia Britannica from 1810 to 1823 contained an extensive explanation of how one could produce several sorts of "optical imitations of fire-works". The principle of the Chinese fireworks was adapted for magic lantern slides. The chromatrope can be regarded as a further development of this technique. ==See also==