This book is included in the Self Reliance Firearms & Weaponry section.
Impact Firecrackers
by John Donner
~}{~
Copyright 1996, revised November 1996
Introduction Impact Firecrackers results from several years of experimentation with different methods of making old-fashioned toy torpedo fireworks. Impact Firecrackers is not intended as a comprehensive text for the novice pyrotechnist. Impact Firecrackers describes construction of some of the old fireworks torpedoes, most of which have not been accurately detailed in previous literature. Scant attention is paid here to basic lab procedure or basic pyrotechnic safety procedures -- a knowledge of these is presumed for anyone who might seriously contemplate reproducing the experimental procedures in this report. Never the less, I refer anyone who needs basic safety training to Weingart's Pyrotechnics and to Lancaster's Fireworks: Principles and Practice as good sources for safety information. The author of "Impact Firecrackers" merely describes procedures, and does not advocate duplicating the work recorded in this paper. Impact Firecrackers is divided into three sections: a brief introduction, a section on chemicals used in this process, eight sections that describe small-scale, experimental manufacture of torpedoes, annotated bibliography, and end notes. Many years ago toy torpedoes, impact actuated exploding fireworks, were very popular fireworks items in the U.S. -- particularly popular with young ladies. Fireworks manufacturers produced many sizes and kinds, using a variety of explosive compositions before they were finally banned in the late 1950's. The tiny "Snap'n'Pops" of today are mere shadows of the toy torpedoes once available. Some of the more famous varieties of that bygone era were the silver torpedo, Globe Torpedo, the tube type torpedo, the "safety torpedo", the cracker ball, the ball-type cap, and the so -called "Japanese cap torpedo". Patent documents reveal many kinds of torpedoes of which the inventors thought well enough to expend the considerable time and money inherent in the patent process (1). From the standpoints of relative ease and safety of construction, safety of storage, transportation, and use, the Globe Torpedo is arguably the best option for the novice torpedo maker. The other varieties described call for use of more sensitive compounds such as chlorate/phosphorous, or chlorate/sulfide/magnalium compositions. All of these compositions are dangerous. You be the judge: how skillful and more importantly, how foolhardy are you? Technical information about torpedoes is scarce, but for further information one can examine The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives by Tenney L. Davis, Pyrotechnics by George Weingart, Fireworks: The Art, Science and Technique, by Takeo Shimizu, and various patent listings since the late 19th century. Weingart's text, Pyrotechnics, describes the manufacture of silver fulminate torpedoes (2) and should be consulted as the best extant publication describing the silver fulminate torpedo. An interesting inside look at the manufacture of torpedoes from a nostalgic viewpoint is provided in the essay, "Cherry Bombs and Silver Torpedoes" by John Drewes. Other interesting items relating to torpedoes can be found in some children's literature of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; some of this material has been reprinted in Pyro-Fax, a periodical published by the Fourth of July Americana Museum. Overall, though, reliable information about the early history of torpedoes is scarce. Torpedoes prepared with fulminating salts may conceivably have been around since the middle ages or even earlier -- prepared in the laboratories of the alchemists in their ceaseless search for the transmutation of metals. This, however, is conjecture. I am not aware of any record that would support that hypothesis. The chlorate based torpedoes can be dated with relative certainty to the era after 1789, the year when Berthollet is credited with inventing chlorates. Many people have been seriously injured while using, and especially while attempting to manufacture fireworks. There is always risk in the manufacture and use of dangerous articles such as these. Those who learn as much as they can about what they are doing stand a much better chance of survival intact than those who do not. Do yourself a favor, and always work to minimize hazards and risks. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Contents I. Introduction 1 II. Chemicals 3 III. Globe Torpedoes 6 IV. Cap Torpedoes 10 V. Cane Torpedoes 12 VI. More Cap Torpedoes 15 VII. Charles Nelson's Clay Torpedoes 17 VII. Cracker Balls 20 VIII. Auto Tire Blow-out Simulator 22 IX. Exploding Blow Gun Darts 24 X. Bibliography 27 XI. End Notes End of Preview RETURN to Main Titles Index or Self Reliance Firearms & Weaponry
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