explosive or combustible used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles, and they were (and still are) used in elaborate combinations for celebrations. During the European Middle Ages, fireworks accompanied the spread of military explosives westward, and in Europe the military fireworks expert was pressed into service to conduct pyrotechnic celebrations of victory and peace. In the 19th century, the introduction of new ingredients such as magnesium and aluminum greatly heightened the brilliance of such displays.

There are two main classes of fireworks: force-and-spark and flame. In force-and-spark compositions, potassium nitrate, sulfur, and finely ground charcoal are used, with additional ingredients that produce various types of sparks. In flame compositions, such as the stars that are shot out of rockets, potassium nitrate, salts of antimony, and sulfur may be used. For coloured fire, potassium chlorate or potassium perchlorate is combined with a metal salt that determines the colour.

The most popular form of firework, the rocket, is lifted into the sky by recoil from the jet of fire thrown out by its burning composition; its case is so designed as to produce maximum combustion and, thus, maximum thrust, in its earliest stage.