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![\"Flowerpots](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/07-01-2026-fireworks-history-at-science-history-Institute-4-1024x683.jpg\")
Flowerpots are the post-explosion remnants of polyethylene plastics firework shells, on display at the fireworks history exhibit at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter\/WHYY)\n<\/p>\nToday, electric charges are used to launch fireworks and they include choreography with multiple pyrotechnics exploding in the sky at once, said Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association. Ground displays are no longer common because only a small crowd could enjoy them.\n<\/p>\n
Heckman said while there are more colors today than 250 years ago, fireworks manufacturers are still using similar recipes and are all made by hand. Another difference is that China is the global provider of fireworks. The shift away from American manufacturing took place in the 1970s with the opening of U.S. trade with China and the introduction of regulations from newly established agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupation Safety and Health Administration.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThe regulatory climate got so stringent that it really became a burden on these \u2026 companies to manufacture,\u201d Heckman said. \u201cIf [the fireworks] are not coming from China, [they\u2019re] coming from Japan, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Manufacturing fireworks is a dangerous job because it involves working with explosives and chemicals.\n <\/p>\n
\u201cThe [U.S.] regulations limit the amount of explosive composition that can be in process at any one time, and it restricts the number of personnel in a building,\u201d Heckman said. \u201cPeople just don\u2019t want to do that kind of work, and we wouldn\u2019t be able to pay the wages.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
Heckman said the Trump administration tariffs of 145% threatened the industry last year, but since those have been ruled unconstitutional there are fewer impacts this year for the companies putting on July Fourth displays.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have a sixth-generation relationship with the Chinese factories,\u201d she said. \u201cThey go over and meet with the manufacturers, tell them they like this product, but they want to add this color to it, or they\u2019d like to have a tail, or they\u2019d like to have a salute added to it. So it\u2019s a great partnership.\u201d
\nFlowerpots are the post-explosion remnants of polyethylene plastics firework shells, on display at the fireworks history exhibit at the Science History Institute in Philadelphia. (Kimberly Paynter\/WHYY)\n<\/p>\n
The pandemic boom in fireworks<\/p>\n
Consumer fireworks, which experienced a boom during the pandemic with a 55% increase in use between 2019 and 2020, are also manufactured in China.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cConsumer fireworks sales were off the charts during the [COVID-19] pandemic,\u201d Heckman said. \u201cIt started Memorial Day weekend of 2020. \u201cThere was nothing to do, and no one could have predicted that the masses would turn to consumer fireworks for their form of entertainment.\u201d\n<\/p>\n