8 replies to this topic

[spectrum]

I know this has been covered before but I could use some help.

I am working with a team on a documentary which will explore the history of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Factories in and across the U.K., I anticipate much of the focus to be in the 20th century but there will be a lead up looking at the industrial revolution and the divergence of gunpowder, fireworks, pyrotechnics from the victorian era and through to the 1980's where firework manufacture came to and end and was seemingly forgotten. We now have the popular misconception that the Chinese were responsible for everything - with little in the way of documented evidence that this was not always entirely the case there doesn't seem to be much of an argument. I am hopeful that this production will counter that.

I would appreciate assistance in compiling as full and comprehensive list of all firework and pyrotechnic manufacturers of the 20th century with their locations. There is much research going into this, it will be shared!

Paul M.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Here are some but not all the locations I can think of (off the top of me head) and via `A History of Fireworks` where Brocks were making fireworks, this includes the 19th & 20th centuries and house dwellings ;-

Islington Road - Clerkenwell
Whitechapel - No 11 Bakers Row, Whitechapel Road
Nunhead - site of green near to The Pyrotechnist Pub = might be worth checking some old OS maps
South Norwood - Tennison Road or thereabouts
Walthamstow - not sure where = not done any research
Harold Wood - near Prospect Road
Sutton
Hemel Hempstead - Woodhall Farm
Chedburgh, Bury St Edmonds
Swaffham
Sanqhar

Im sure Ive missed some!

Other makers - Benjamin Clitherow at Fleet Street Hill, Bethnal Green.
Mortram - Westminster Bridge Road - Mead Place, and or Westminster Road?
Sir William Congrieve - West Ham
D`Ernst - Princes Street, Lambeth
Drewell - 6 Hatfield Place, Lambeth
Darby - 98 Regent Street, Lambeth Walk
Globe Fireworks Factory
Guys Fireworks - Ferncliffe Works

Edited by crystal palace fireworks, 11 November 2011 - 05:28 PM.

[Arthur Brown]

As a wild card, Whitechapel Bell Foundry has a very long history there and maybe some people have gossip of earlier firework manufacture.

[exat808]

I know this has been covered before but I could use some help.

I am working with a team on a documentary which will explore the history of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Factories in and across the U.K., I anticipate much of the focus to be in the 20th century but there will be a lead up looking at the industrial revolution and the divergence of gunpowder, fireworks, pyrotechnics from the victorian era and through to the 1980's where firework manufacture came to and end and was seemingly forgotten. We now have the popular misconception that the Chinese were responsible for everything - with little in the way of documented evidence that this was not always entirely the case there doesn't seem to be much of an argument. I am hopeful that this production will counter that.

I would appreciate assistance in compiling as full and comprehensive list of all firework and pyrotechnic manufacturers of the 20th century with their locations. There is much research going into this, it will be shared!

Paul M.

You might wish to read through the annual reports of HM Chief Inspectors of Explosives. Starting from around 1875 the reports highlight trends in all aspects of explosives manufacturing and in some instances detail the quantities of fireworks imported in the 12 month period. Notable incidents in fireworks factories are also reported on.
I have a few original copies of these publications and I am sure that complete sets can be sourced in reference libraries etc.
Please PM if you would like some research to be done.

[spectrum]

You might wish to read through the annual reports of HM Chief Inspectors of Explosives. Starting from around 1875 the reports highlight trends in all aspects of explosives manufacturing and in some instances detail the quantities of fireworks imported in the 12 month period. Notable incidents in fireworks factories are also reported on.
I have a few original copies of these publications and I am sure that complete sets can be sourced in reference libraries etc.
Please PM if you would like some research to be done.

I would be VERY grateful for this EXAT. I am scheduled to visit the Public Records Office over the coming month in this regard, they have records there, 41 volumes, of Inspectors reports etc. I will gladly share what I dig up naturally.

[spectrum]

Here are some but not all the locations I can think of (off the top of me head) and via `A History of Fireworks` where Brocks were making fireworks, this includes the 19th & 20th centuries and house dwellings ;-

Islington Road - Clerkenwell
Whitechapel - No 11 Bakers Row, Whitechapel Road
Nunhead - site of green near to The Pyrotechnist Pub = might be worth checking some old OS maps
South Norwood - Tennison Road or thereabouts
Walthamstow - not sure where = not done any research
Harold Wood - near Prospect Road
Sutton
Hemel Hempstead - Woodhall Farm
Chedburgh, Bury St Edmonds
Swaffham
Sanqhar

Im sure Ive missed some!

Other makers - Benjamin Clitherow at Fleet Street Hill, Bethnal Green.
Mortram - Westminster Bridge Road - Mead Place, and or Westminster Road?
Sir William Congrieve - West Ham
D`Ernst - Princes Street, Lambeth
Drewell - 6 Hatfield Place, Lambeth
Darby - 98 Regent Street, Lambeth Walk
Globe Fireworks Factory
Guys Fireworks - Ferncliffe Works

Thanks. I have so far looked at:

Astra, Kent.
Brocks, Hemel Hempstead, Swaffham, Sanquhar.
Cranes, Bristol.
Pains, Salisbury
Wessex, Salisbury
Wallop, Middle Wallop
Wilders, Birmingham
Hammond, Edinburgh
Benwell, Derby
Wells, Kent
Standard, Huddersfield
Guys, Leeds
Rainbow, Berks.
Lion, Huddersfield
Harbot, Liverpool.

There are others, these were pulled from my failing memory. Whilst at Astra in the 1980's an elderly chap there had to compile a list - to my shame I lost it. Many of these were on the list. He worked at 4 of them!

The documentary will focus on the widespread industry which covered much of the British Isles, if you stuck a coloured dot on the map at every location once occupied by such a factory it would be very spotty! I want to challenge the popular myth that the Chinese invented everything, so far as I'm concerned they came in quite late and caught up quickly copying what we had been doing over the preceding centuries.

A bit controversial maybe, but I recall working in a factory where chinese material was unheard of and unseen. I remember the interest when Chinese material started to flood in, shells mainly red and green and of dubious quality. Granted they caught up admirably, but lets not forget the industry at home which inspired that.

[crystal palace fireworks]

Paul,

It will be interesting to see what your research/evidence has revealed, have you carried out any studies regarding chinese homeland manufacture in the last few hundred years? did they have a thriving industry for there consumer or commercial display markets? = the need to drive forward to develope new colours or devices for a demanding public?

As we know, our own industrial revolution (which we gave the world) for the best part of the victorian era played a major part in the developement of modern pyrotechnics as we know today or am I not giving credit to other european countries?

On a slightly diiferent matter, but hopefully relevent to your theory, I seem to remember Steven Fry`s QI TV program once touched on the subject of glass, it seems as if the chinese discovered it, but did not develope it because they were contented with paper lanterns for lighting or to use paper sheeting as a cover for window frames. we however took it further - mirrors, glass bottles, drinking vessels, window panes (window tax), optics, astromomy etc etc.

If you want some help in searching the public records office (Kew?), give me a PM or email, and I will gladly meet up with you for a day out!

[Batman]

Looking that list don't forget Unwin Pyrotechnics that bought the Wells site before Astra took it over - true, their core business was military simulators but they also kept making displays and GFN fireworks. It was a small team from Unwins that did the fireworks in Hyde Park following the marriage of a certain Charles to a Diana. There's a story behind that as well which many of today's operators and firers would do well to heed. Unwins also developed an early electronic firing system for remote long range initiation of pyros over a decent range - I seem to remember it was about 100 cues, with an auto sequence.

Unwins put a lot of business in Brock's direction for several years before buying the Wells site, certainly Sanquhar did well out of it.

And what about Schermuly - do they count?

[spectrum]

Looking that list don't forget Unwin Pyrotechnics that bought the Wells site before Astra took it over - true, their core business was military simulators but they also kept making displays and GFN fireworks. It was a small team from Unwins that did the fireworks in Hyde Park following the marriage of a certain Charles to a Diana. There's a story behind that as well which many of today's operators and firers would do well to heed. Unwins also developed an early electronic firing system for remote long range initiation of pyros over a decent range - I seem to remember it was about 100 cues, with an auto sequence.

Unwins put a lot of business in Brock's direction for several years before buying the Wells site, certainly Sanquhar did well out of it.

And what about Schermuly - do they count?

Absolutely. I am expanding the study to include pyrotechnics anyway and as such would be including Unwins, Schermuly, Reliance Snap and others