A History of Fireworks: hear me on Talk Radio Europe, while stocks last!

Last Thursday, I was fortunate enough to be interviewed by Giles Brown on Talk Radio Europe about my new book A History of Fireworks from Their Origins to the Present Day (Reaktion Books).

We talked about their mysterious origins in ancient China, perhaps as a by-product of the search for eternal life, of their use in war, of how they came to Europe, and their first recorded appearance in England in 1487. Then there was Handel's music, and how the Shah of Persia liked the displays at London's Crystal Palace so much that he turned up incognito and paid at the door.

We talked about the famous brands - Standard, Brocks, Pains etc. Nor did we skate over firework disasters, and the challenges they now face from worries about pollution and their effects on animals.

You can catch the interview here https://www.talkradioeurope.com/on-demand/

At the bottom of the page, you can select the day, Thursday 8 August, and then the time 1000-1100. The interview starts at about 1035. It should be up until the end of tomorrow 14 August.

Crystal Palace fire + 78

On this day……………….78 years ago, London’s Crystal Palace burned down. It was an extraordinary place – more than 600 yards long and more than 120 feet high, containing more glass than had ever before been seen in a single building. Originally built for the Great Exhibition of 1851, it was then moved to Penge Common.

The fire began in a ladies’ lavatory while the general manager, Sir Henry Buckland, was walking in the grounds with his daughter named (what else?) Chrystal. Encouraged by a fierce wind and the acres of timber flooring, the flames took hold in no time, and when the fire brigade arrived, the cause was already lost, and the efforts of more than 400 firemen came to nothing.

An estimated 100,000 people turned out to watch one of the most spectacular fires in London’s history. It could be seen from 8 counties. In Streatham, they hired out binoculars at 2d a look, while the better heeled chartered aeroplanes from Croydon Aerodrome.

Controversy now surrounds a plan to rebuild the landmark as part of a major redevelopment of the area, with complaints that local people are being kept in the dark.  For the full story of the fire, see my book London’s Disasters.