Firecrackers

by Dotz, Warren

• ISBN13: 9781580081511
• ISBN10: 1580081517
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-07-01
• Publisher: Ten Speed Pr

Summary

Universally popular, uncommonly loud, a pyrotechnic spectacle that inspires laughter, delight and a healthy dose of frayed nerves-what else but the firecracker! These little sticks of paper and powder have captured the imagination of cultures the world over since the Chinese invented them centuries ago. As practical, chemical developments in firecracker production proceeded apace, the popular art form of label design flourished, leaving us with a remarkable visual record of the myths and cultural attitudes of the Chinese manufacturers and their markets. FIRECRACKERS explores the art form in detail, linking it to history and exploring its relevance in the various cultures that ceremonialize this peculiar bang. Includes reproductions of over 100 full-color labels, as well as tips on finding and saving firecracker art.

Author Biography

WARREN DOTZ is a pop culture historian and the author of eight books on advertising art. As an authority on product label art, his commentary has appeared in Advertising Age, Brandweek, and the New York Times Magazine. He lives and works in Berkeley, California.


JACK MINGO is a writer with more than a dozen books and numerous articles in scores of publications to his credit. He lives in Alameda, California.


GEORGE MOYER is a licensed pyrotechnician and a lifelong collector of firecracker labels with one of the largest collections in the United States. He lives in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
The Origin and Evolution of Firecrackers	3	(6)
Firecracker Manufacturing	9	(18)
Chinese Celebrations	27	(12)
Firecrackers in America	39	(12)
Firecracker Celebrations Around the World	51	(10)
The Art of the Firecracker Label	61	(50)
Collecting Firecracker Packs and Labels	111	(11)
Glossary	122	(3)
Resource Guide	125	(3)
Safety Tips	128	(1)
Rarity Guide	129	(2)
Image Credits	131	(2)
Acknowledgments	133	(1)
Index	134