Help with questions

[displayfireworks1]

I have a phone interview with a journal inquiring information about fireworks. I want to be accurate with information. Here are a few questions if someone knows answers beyond the usual answers so to speak.
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2. From my research I came across several different U.S. companies that produced fireworks in the 1900s-1950s, along with many from China, especially the Manchu region. Are there still companies in the U.S. producing fireworks, any from those early years?

3. Is there an idea of when fireworks first came into use?
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6. When it comes to antique fireworks what are some of the most impressive you've come across? What makes them so special?
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If you feel you can answer one please do.

[PyroJoeNEPA]

I don't know if it would be pertinent to question #6, but I would say up until the 1960's all the shells we saw made here were multi break cylinder shells in the Italian tradition: 1,2,3 or more breaks & usually with a "bottom shot". As the ball shells made their way here from China, the cylinders began to disappear because of production cost & time vs import prices. The old cylinders had effects we seldom see anymore--most of which can't be reproduced in a ball shell.It was a different type of firework show. These were the first type of shells I ever saw as a teen in the 1960's. Italy & Malta still are making & shooting these type shells as we see [and drool over] on various you tube clips.
My favorite shell [which I have not seen since back then] was a Farfalle [butterfly] that broke, then each tip of the streamer broke into more farfalle, then those tips broke again into more farfalle---inserts inside inserts inside inserts. A three tiered effect. A truly beautiful effect that filled the sky.

[displayfireworks1]

Thanks Joe that is a great observation. I remember those displays from back in the day.
They gave me a list of questions, most I think I can answer, on #6 is there any antique consumer items that come to mind? Of course the original M-80 were special and some of the imported firecrackers.
On question #2 I know some of the United States companies from 1950 are still around, for example I believe Pyrotecnico may be one, the question is are any of the ones from back then still making original products? I believe the answer is no.
Question #3 goes back to the Chinese and/or Italians.

[PyroJoeNEPA]

On question #2 I know some of the United States companies from 1950 are still around, for example I believe Pyrotecnico may be one, the question is are any of the ones from back then still making original products? I believe the answer is no.

I would say the Grucci's--they are still manufacturing. Here is a "cut & paste" of the family history from their website. Very interesting history!

Southern Italy is the Grucci ancestral home. Angelo Lanzetta, founder and great-grandfather to Felix Grucci, Sr., start it all in 1850. In 1870, he brought the family's pyrotechnic artistry to Elmont, Long Island, New York, entering America as an immigrant through Ellis Island.
After Angelo's death in 1899, his son, Anthony carried on the family business and in 1923 brought his nephew, Felix Grucci, Sr., to serve as an apprentice. Competition was strong, but the firework market weak. Early in the Depression, they moved their business to Miami, Florida in hope of greener pastures. But, homesick, and at the urging of the family, they returned to Bellport, New York in 1929 to continue their business.
The Depression Years were tough on the fledgling entrepreneurs. Felix, to make ends meet, worked many nights as a drummer with a local band. There he met Concetta DiDio and they were married February 4, 1940. They raised three children: James, Donna and Felix Jr. All three children entered the family business.
Over the next three decades, Felix Grucci, Sr. gained a reputation as a master of his art. He developed the stringless shell, a major landmark innovation that improved fireworks safety by eliminating burning fallout, the firework industry's greatest safety problem. Developed for the Defense Department, an atomic device simulator for troop training. Demand for firework displays, other than traditional 4th of July displays declined during the 1960's further culling the firework industry. Only the best prevailed. Their genuine friendly mannerisms and professional approach won them many loyal clients, so they prospered.
Felix Sr. continued to build his business with the help of his wife, Concetta, and three children, into a regional clientele including New Jersey and Connecticut during the late 1960's. The nation's bicentennial celebration in 1976 was a banner year for the fireworks industry. The Grucci's received rave reviews for their first major performance out of the New York tri-state area, for the nation's 1976 bicentennial celebration with fireworks on the Charles River for Arthur Fielder and the Boston Pops Orchestra.
However, every entertainer has a debut to national stardom, and in 1979, the Gruccis were indelibly etched in fireworks history. The Grucci's became the first American family to win the Gold Medal for the United States at the annual Monte Carlo International Fireworks Competition beating other competitors from Denmark, France, Italy and Spain. This is revered by those in the fireworks entertainment community as the most prestigious competition in the world. The Grucci's consider this one of their greatest accomplishments, and the New York press dubbed them as "America's First Family of Fireworks".
From the Monte Carlo launching pad, the Grucci's continued their climb over the next three decades to be recognized throughout the world as the "Top Name in Fireworks Entertainment" in the world. They earned this title with fireworks for every presidential inauguration since Ronald Regan in 1981 to the present, every major casino grand opening since the Mirage in 1989 to the Wynn Macau to Sol Kerzner's Atlantis, Olympic Games, World's Fairs, and the Centennial celebrations of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.
Phil Grucci is the current President/CEO Fireworks by Grucci, Inc. and Pyrotechnique by Grucci, Inc., the manufacturing entity of the Grucci group of companies. The Grucci family has worked tirelessly to maintain our family heritage and core values and a commitment to creating lifelong memories for all they touch. In January of 2013, the Grucci family has formally transitioned the leadership of family-run Fireworks by Grucci, Inc. to Felix (Phil) Grucci (5th generation), as Donna Grucci Butler and Felix J. Grucci, Jr. (4th generation) have retired from their day-to-day management roles as President and Executive Vice President/CFO, respectively. Felix (Phil) Grucci, the nephew of Donna and Felix Jr., and son of the late James Grucci, will continue as President/CEO to further guide the family business into the future. As the family business moves into the future and continues the business into the 6thgeneration, Phil Grucci looks forward to the ongoing consultation and support of his entire family. In fact, Fireworks by Grucci already actively involves the 6th generation family members that are determined to keep the Grucci legacy going; they include: Corey Grucci, Lauren Grucci and Christopher Grucci, (Phil’s nephew, daughter and son) all of whom are certified pyrotechnicians and are eager to maintain and heighten the family tradition of excellence and integrity in the art world of fireworks entertainment.

[displayfireworks1]

Grucci has a great history for sure.
I have a video posted about Grucci winning that event in Monte Carlo. To be honest I think they won it just because they had the loudest salute barrage in the finale. That sort of thing is probably why these competitions have strict rules about salute usage. If Grucci is still making fireworks from scratch I would to know what they are.

[PyroJoeNEPA]

Didn't they ship the components to & assemble on site the 24" shells they used for the Dubai world record shoot? That would be considered "from scratch" wouldn't it? Also the American Flag using the time burst technology is their creation.

[PGH_Pyro]

Google : Li Tian (Chinese guy) he is father of fireworks .