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The Pharaoh’s Serpent is a traditional pyrotechnic and chemical display in which mercury thiocyanate is set on fire, producing what looks like a very rapidly growing vine. It has since fallen out of favor due to the toxicity of mercury, but sodium bicarbonate produces a similar effect. The video above is a demonstration of this visually stunning chemical reaction.
via Urlesque
Everything you ever wanted to know about Roman candles, including how to make your own, in in this article at Confession of a Fireworks Man.
I once made the mistake of thinking I could hold a one-inch display candle in my hand as it fired. The first shot propelled a star skyward, and the rest of the candle backward out of my hand to who-knew-where. I had to quickly find it and stabilize it with my foot as it finished firing. I still haven’t lived that down in my local fireworks guild. I don’t recommend you try any similar stunts.
With these larger Roman candles, it’s best to tape them to a stake and firmly secure them to the ground before ignition.
Link -via Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories
