OOO, AHHHH! The history of fireworks

Summary

Forever Ago® Episode Summary: "OOO, AHHHH! The History of Fireworks"

Release Date: April 30, 2025

In this vibrant episode of Forever Ago®, hosts Joy Dolo and Elliot dive into the dazzling world of fireworks, unraveling their rich history and evolution. Celebrating April 30th—a day packed with diverse holidays like National Bubble Tea Day, International Guide Dog Day, and Hairstylist Appreciation Day—the duo seamlessly transitions into exploring the explosive origins and cultural significance of fireworks.

1. Celebrations and Fireworks Integration

The episode begins with Joy hosting a multi-faceted celebration, combining activities like drawing favorite dogs and braiding hair, setting the perfect stage for a discussion on fireworks. Elliot suggests enhancing the festivities with a fireworks display, connecting the celebration to the broader theme of fireworks used in various holidays.

Notable Quote:

"April 30, which is when a ton of different national and international holidays happen, apparently." — Joy Dolo [02:31]

2. Origins of Fireworks in Ancient China

Joy and Elliot trace the inception of fireworks back to ancient China around 2,000 years ago. They highlight the societal divide between the rich and the poor, emphasizing how even amidst these divisions, communal celebrations played a pivotal role.

Notable Quote:

"We know that Chinese society was deeply divided between the rich and the poor." — Joy Dolo [05:49]

The hosts explain that the earliest form of fireworks, known as firecrackers, were simplistic devices made from fire and bamboo. These firecrackers emitted loud popping sounds, serving both practical and superstitious purposes—protecting villages from wild animals and evil spirits.

Notable Quote:

"Firecrackers are different from the fireworks we see in the sky because they don't fly up into the air or make big colorful explosions." — Joy Dolo [06:24]

3. The Legend of Nian and the Chinese New Year

Introducing Dr. Haiwang Yuan, a writer and retired professor, Joy shares an enchanting legend about the monster Nian, who terrorized villages every spring. The solution to repelling Nian involved using red decorations, loud noises, and bright lights—principles that underpin modern fireworks displays.

Notable Quote:

"One is the red color, one is a loud noise, and one is the bright light." — Dr. Haiwang Yuan [10:32]

This tradition has endured, making firecrackers and fireworks integral to Chinese New Year celebrations, symbolizing renewal and protection.

4. Evolution from Firecrackers to Modern Fireworks

The conversation shifts to the transformation of fireworks from simple bamboo firecrackers to the elaborate pyrotechnic displays we witness today. This evolution was significantly influenced by the accidental invention of gunpowder by Taoist monks seeking eternal life potions.

Notable Quote:

"They were trying to create a potion of eternal life." — Elliot [17:20]

With gunpowder, fireworks gained the ability to ascend into the sky and produce vibrant colors and intricate patterns, enhancing their spectacle and expanding their use beyond traditional celebrations.

Notable Quote:

"The fireworks we see today aren't made of bamboo. They don't just pop near the ground. They soar into the sky and burst into colors." — Joy Dolo [16:40]

5. Modern Innovations: Drone Fireworks

Addressing the environmental and sensory concerns associated with traditional fireworks, Joy introduces drone-based fireworks as a contemporary alternative. These drone shows utilize synchronized light displays, offering a quieter and less smoky option while maintaining visual grandeur.

Notable Quote:

"They put lights on a bunch of drones and make them dance together like synchronized swimmers to create images in the sky." — Joy Dolo [19:35]

Highlighting China's pioneering role in this technology, the hosts mention Shenzhen's record-setting drone spectacular in 2024, featuring over 10,000 drones.

6. Interactive Segment: "First Things First"

Adding an engaging twist, Joy and Elliot play "First Things First," a game where they order the invention dates of party balloons, glow sticks, and bubbles. This segment not only entertains but also educates listeners on the historical timelines of everyday celebratory items.

Notable Quote:

"Bubbles was first. And the first bubbles was invented in the 1600s." — Joy Dolo [22:26]

7. Conclusion and Future Episodes

The episode wraps up with reflections on the historical insights shared and a tease for the next episode focusing on maple syrup. The hosts encourage listener participation through fan art and personal stories, fostering a community-driven approach to exploring history.

Notable Quote:

"We'll hear the answers at the end of the episode, right after the credits, so stick around." — Joy Dolo [13:36]

Final Thoughts

"OOO, AHHHH! The History of Fireworks" is a captivating exploration of how fireworks have shaped and been shaped by cultural practices over centuries. Joy and Elliot adeptly blend historical facts, legends, and modern innovations, making the episode both informative and entertaining for families and history enthusiasts alike.

---

Credits:

• Written by: Rosie Dupont
• Produced by: Ruby Guthrie and Nico Gonzalez Whistler
• Editors: Sandon Totten and Shayla Farzon
• Fact Checking: Rebecca Rand
• Engineering: Alex Allinson and Jess Berg
• Sound Design: Rachel Breese
• Original Music: Mark Sanchez
• Additional Production: Brains on Universe Team
• Executive Producer: Beth Pearlman
• Special Thanks: Dr. Haiwang Yuan, Brant Miller, Aaron O'Malley, Joe Getz, Kim Parker

Join Joy and Elliot in their next adventure as they uncover the sweet history of maple syrup!

Transcript

[Joy Dolo]

Hip hip hooray. It's National Bubble Tea Day. Ah, I love bubble tea.

[Elliot]

Uh, Joy?

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, hi, Elliot. You're my first guest.

[Elliot]

Guest? For what?

[Joy Dolo]

I'm having a party to celebrate the best day of the year, April 30th.

[Elliot]

Is it your birthday?

[Joy Dolo]

No, silly. It's National Bubble Tea Day. Here, have some boba.

[Elliot]

Awesome. Thanks. Mmm. It's mango.

[Joy Dolo]

It's also International Guide Dog Day, so I thought we could draw pictures of our favorite pooches together.

[Elliot]

Aw. Fun.

[Joy Dolo]

And it's Hairstylist Appreciation Day. Speaking of, do you like my new goddess braids? I did them myself.

[Elliot]

Uh huh.

[Joy Dolo]

Let's hear some more Hairstylist appreciation. Elliot.

[Elliot]

Oh, sorry. I love your goddess braids, Joy. You did such a great job. Thank. They're gorgeous.

[Joy Dolo]

Aw, thank you. I also set up a hairstyle station for everyone at the party so we can braid our hair while drawing pooches and drinking bubble tea. Wow.

[Elliot]

I didn't know there were so many things to celebrate on April 30th.

[Joy Dolo]

I know. Now the only thing this party is missing is a grand finale. I love April 30, and I want this party to feel special and colorful and dramatic.

[Elliot]

Like Mia, why don't we watch the fireworks show?

[Joy Dolo]

There's a fireworks show?

[Elliot]

Yeah, didn't you hear? It's also International Jazz Day, so they're putting on a jazz concert and sending out fireworks. The band's practicing outside.

[Joy Dolo]

Perfect. Ooh. I should petition to make April 30th International Fireworks Day, too.

[Elliot]

Maybe give another day a chance.

[Joy Dolo]

No, it's gotta be April 30th. I'll fire. Work it out, firework. I'm Joy Dolo here with my bud, Elliot.

[Elliot]

Hey.

[Joy Dolo]

And this is Forever Ago from APM Studios. We're a nonprofit public radio program.

[Elliot]

That means you keep us going.

[Joy Dolo]

You can do that by joining Smarty Pass, donating, or buying a pencil case with my face on it.

[Elliot]

Head over to foreverago.org to show your support. Thanks.

[Joy Dolo]

Now, today, Elliot and I are celebrating.

[Elliot]

April 30, which is when a ton of different national and international holidays happen, apparently.

[Joy Dolo]

And to help us celebrate, we're exploring the history of one of the most celebratory inventions of all time. Fireworks. Those beautiful bursts of color and light that sound like.

[Elliot]

You'Ve probably seen them on July 4th if you're in the US or maybe on New Year's.

[Joy Dolo]

Or on National Mr. Potato Head Day, which is today. Oh, my gosh. Could it be Mr. And Mrs. Potato Head? Hello, Hello. Hi there. Thanks for coming. To my April 30th party. Please help yourself to some boba tea. Oh, don't mind if I do. Thank you, Joy. Mmm. Yum, yum. So, fireworks. Elliot, what do you love about fireworks?

[Elliot]

That they're colorful and they're just explosive. Well, not the explosive part, but, like, the explosions are nice to watch when they go boom. Yes.

[Joy Dolo]

Do you have any favorite types of fireworks?

[Elliot]

I like the ones that, like, spew out the little sparks. Those ones are fun.

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, the ones that kind of go, like. And they make that kind of sound.

[Elliot]

Yeah.

[Joy Dolo]

Is there, like, a certain color that you like?

[Elliot]

Green is nice.

[Joy Dolo]

Green is nice. Have you ever seen it when they do, like, green and white and pink and. And, like, all the colors at the same time?

[Elliot]

Maybe once.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah. Those are, like, special, special occasions. Like Mr. Potato Head Day. If you could design a firework that does anything you want, what would it be like?

[Elliot]

I think it would, like, shoot flowers or something.

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, yeah. Like, do you think it would be, like, flowers, like, flower sparkles or like, real flowers, petals, stems, maybe?

[Elliot]

The design.

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, yeah.

[Elliot]

Like a really complex design.

[Joy Dolo]

Very cool. A flower firework. Okay. And if you could invent any kind of holiday, what would it be?

[Elliot]

Make Tacos out of Ice Cream day.

[Joy Dolo]

Make tacos out of ice cream?

[Elliot]

Yes.

[Joy Dolo]

Could you tell me more about this special holiday?

[Elliot]

Well, you have your tortilla. They're like a hard shell taco shell. And then you take a scoop of ice cream and you put it in, and then you put a bunch of toppings.

[Joy Dolo]

Would you still do, like, tomato and lettuce? Or are we talking, like, sprinkles?

[Elliot]

You could put on whatever you wanted.

[Joy Dolo]

I love this holiday already. I'm gonna put pop tarts on mine. I love a pop tart. Everybody knows fireworks are used to celebrate all sorts of holidays and special events, like National Raisin Day.

[Elliot]

It's National Raisin Day, too.

[Joy Dolo]

Yes. Care for some ants on a log? Or a handful of golden raisins fresh from the box? Delicious.

[Elliot]

Maybe later. Right now, let's talk about where fireworks came from and who invented them.

[Joy Dolo]

Okay. More raisins for me. Our story starts in ancient China. Around 2,000 years ago.

[Elliot]

People in ancient China did a really good job writing down their history, so we know a lot about them.

[Joy Dolo]

We know that Chinese society was deeply divided between the rich and the poor.

[Elliot]

Poor farmers mostly lived in the countryside and grew grains like millet or rice.

[Joy Dolo]

Wealthy merchants and government officials often lived in cities, wore colorful silk clothes, and listened to beautiful music at banquets and rituals.

[Elliot]

And pretty Much everyone, rich and poor, male and female, had long hair. Hair was believed to be a gift from your ancestors, so barely anyone got.

[Joy Dolo]

A haircut around this time. The ancient Chinese also invented the first firecrackers. Firecrackers are different from the fireworks we see in the sky because they don't fly up into the air or make big colorful explosions.

[Elliot]

They explode closer to the ground and make a loud sound like this.

[Joy Dolo]

These ancient firecrackers were made using only two things. Fire and bamboo. Bamboo is a plant. It grows straight up toward the sky like grass.

[Elliot]

Bamboo shoots are very hard and hollow inside, like a tube. Bamboo grows all over China.

[Joy Dolo]

The ancient Chinese people realized that when it burns, bamboo makes a loud popping sound. The air inside the bamboo heats up and explodes the hard shoot of the plant.

[Elliot]

So people threw bamboo shoots in the fire to protect themselves from wild animals.

[Joy Dolo]

Some people also believed in evil spirits and used bamboo firecrackers to scare them off. How much longer do we have to travel before we get to this city?

[Elliot]

Aw, I don't know.

[Joy Dolo]

Did you hear that?

[Elliot]

Maybe it's a tiger or a wild boar.

[Joy Dolo]

Or the evil spirit of my great aunt Fei Yan coming to haunt us.

[Elliot]

Yikes. Throw a bamboo shoot on the fire to scare it away. And today, the Chinese word for firecrackers is actually exploding bamboo.

[Joy Dolo]

What? No way.

[Elliot]

Yes, Hui, I have proof.

[Dr. Haiwang Yuan]

The word for firecracker has two syllables. Two sounds in Chinese means burst or explode. Zhu means bamboo, so bursting bamboo, that's bao zhu or firecracker.

[Joy Dolo]

That's Dr. Haiwan Yuan.

[Elliot]

He's a writer, translator, and retired professor. And he knows a lot about the history of firecrackers and fireworks.

[Joy Dolo]

Dr. Yuen told us an amazing legend about ancient bamboo firecrackers, which also happens to be the origin story of the Chinese New Year. My second favorite day of the year after Dia de los Ninos. Speaking of.

[Elliot]

Hello. Hi. Hello.

[Joy Dolo]

Hey, it's all the kids I invited for Dia de Los Ninos, aka Children's Day, aka also April 30th. Come on in, guys. Elliot and I are recording an episode about the history of fireworks. Help yourself to raisins and Boba. Or watch some Bugs Bunny cartoons. Cause it's National Bugs Bunny Day too.

[Elliot]

What's up, Doc? Cool. Thanks, Joy. I love Boba.

[Joy Dolo]

Now, the Chinese New Year happens at the beginning of spring in China, so.

[Elliot]

It'S sometimes called the Spring Festival.

[Joy Dolo]

And firecrackers and fireworks are a big part of the Chinese New Year.

[Elliot]

According to legend, the tradition of exploding firecrackers and fireworks on the New Year all started with a monster called the Nian.

[Joy Dolo]

Dr. Yuan told us the story.

[Dr. Haiwang Yuan]

A long time ago, people believed that a terrible beast known as or called Nian, with sharp teeth, big eyes and a loud roar, would come down into the village from the mountain to attack the villagers.

[Elliot]

And each spring, the villagers lived in fear of the terrible monster.

[Dr. Haiwang Yuan]

Until one day, there came an old man. A white bearded, white haired old man. He was actually a God from heaven. He came to the village and tell the villagers, hey, I know how to conquer. Fight this Nian beast. It fears three things. One is the red color, one is a loud noise, and one is the bright light.

[Joy Dolo]

That old man, who was actually a God, told the villagers how to scare off the beast. Every spring, he said, when the new year begins, make everything red. Put red paper on the walls of your home and dress in red clothing.

[Elliot]

Next, make loud noises by burning bamboo, firecrackers and playing loud drums.

[Joy Dolo]

And finally, light candles, lanterns and fires and keep them burning all night.

[Elliot]

The villagers followed his advice and it worked.

[Joy Dolo]

The beast left them alone.

[Elliot]

And people in China still do these things even today.

[Dr. Haiwang Yuan]

By the way, during the Chinese Eve, the Chinese are not supposed to go to sleep to turn off the lights. And also, each of them wear, especially the children wear red clothes. And people today set up firecrackers on New Year's Day.

[Joy Dolo]

So that's how firecrackers became part of the Chinese New Year celebration.

[Elliot]

But what about the fireworks we see today? You know, the ones that shoot up in the sky? They're a lot bigger and brighter than bamboo shoot firecrackers.

[Joy Dolo]

Excellent question, and we're going to answer it in a bit. But first, Elliot, why don't you and I play a game of first things first. This is the game where we take three things from history and try to put them in order of which came first, second and most recent in time. Since we're talking about celebrations like the Chinese New Year, let's talk about other things we use to celebrate. Glow sticks, party balloons and bubbles. Elliot, which do you think came first, which came second, and which came most recently in history?

[Elliot]

I feel like party balloons, because those are rubber, but I could be totally wrong.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah, yeah.

[Elliot]

Second, glow sticks. And then bubbles.

[Joy Dolo]

And then bubbles. Okay. I like the idea of rubber being first. I mean, that's an old material, right?

[Elliot]

Yes.

[Joy Dolo]

So like, maybe, maybe that could have been like the first one. And then also like when you think of like oldie time stuff like birthday parties, didn't they have balloons there too?

[Elliot]

I don't know.

[Joy Dolo]

That's my logic. I don't know. We're. We're out on this ship together, Elliot. We're just trying to get to shore. Okay. And then second is glow sticks. Why do you think glow sticks came after balloons?

[Elliot]

Because usually when the newer thing, you think the newer thing would come less, but it never does.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah, so that's just like a strategy right there.

[Elliot]

Yeah.

[Joy Dolo]

Okay. And then finally, bubbles. Is there a reason that you think bubbles is most recent?

[Elliot]

Because there wasn't another place to put it.

[Joy Dolo]

I bet you're really good at, like, chess and games, aren't you?

[Elliot]

I'm okay at chess.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah, you got good strategy. Okay, so just to round off here, we have party balloons and then glow sticks and then bubbles. Is that your final answer?

[Elliot]

Yes.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah. All right, we'll hear the answers at the end of the episode, right after.

[Elliot]

The credits, so stick around.

[Joy Dolo]

We're working on an episode all about the Girl Scouts, an organization that brings girls together to help their community, build practical skills and have fun. They also earn badges for their accomplishments, which got us wondering, if you could give your best friend, sibling, parent, or someone else a badge for something they do, who would you give it to, what would it be, and why? So, Elliot, what about you?

[Elliot]

I think I gave my mom a badge for being a great chef.

[Joy Dolo]

Oh, yeah, Great chef. What kind of stuff does she make?

[Elliot]

Earlier she made, like, this really good shrimp curry. It was delicious.

[Joy Dolo]

That sounds so good. Listeners, we want to hear from you too. Record yourself and send it to [e-mail].

[Elliot]

You can also send us questions and fan art.

[Joy Dolo]

Yes, like a painting of the most exciting fireworks display you've ever seen, or a drawing of Mr. Potato Head. Or maybe even raisin art.

[Elliot]

And keep listening.

[Joy Dolo]

Brains on Universe is a family of podcasts for kids and their adults. Since you're a fan of Forever Ago, you'll love the other shows in our universe. Come on, let's explore. It's Alien exercise hour.

[Elliot]

Hi. Yah hoo ha. While I stretch my snoodles and bounce on my trampolini, I'll listen to a new podcast.

[Joy Dolo]

I'm going to try Brains on, the.

[Elliot]

Best science podcast ever.

[Joy Dolo]

It's starting. Yay. Hello and welcome to Pop Planet, the only show that gets you up close and personal with space. I'm your host, Star Eaton.

[Elliot]

Z. Come back here. Podcast must listen to Brains on now.

[Joy Dolo]

Listen to Brains On. Wherever you get your podcasts, you're listening to Forever Ago. I'm Joy.

[Elliot]

And I'm Elliot.

[Joy Dolo]

And we're talking about the explosive history of fireworks. We're going to see an amazing fireworks display tonight in honor of International Jazz Day. Bugs Bunny Day. Dio de los Ninos. National Bubble Tea Day. International Guide Dog Day. National raisin day. National Mr. Potato Head Day. What am I forgetting?

[Elliot]

I think that's all of them.

[Joy Dolo]

Wait, I forgot it's also National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day. Oh, I should go adopt more shelter pets right now.

[Elliot]

Maybe we finished this episode first. Joy, we just heard how the earliest firecrackers were made from bamboo, right?

[Joy Dolo]

And that people have celebrated the Chinese New Year with firecrackers for centuries.

[Elliot]

But the fireworks we see today aren't made of bamboo. They don't just pop near the ground. They soar into the sky and burst into colors.

[Joy Dolo]

That's because they're made using gunpowder. The Chinese also invented gunpowder by mistake. Wa wa wa. Around 1400 years ago, there were many religions flowering in China, including Taoism, which is still practiced today.

[Elliot]

Taoist religion is about harmony and balance. And many Taoists believe in immortality, which means to live forever.

[Joy Dolo]

Taoist monks, or the people who kept the Taoist traditions alive, spent a lot of time doing something called alchemy.

[Elliot]

Alchemy is like chemistry.

[Joy Dolo]

You combine different ingredients, heat them up, and try to create something valuable, like gold, a potion, or precious stones.

[Elliot]

Taoist monks most likely tried to make potions for eternal life.

[Joy Dolo]

These potions were especially popular with Chinese emperors and other monks who wanted to live forever.

[Elliot]

One day, some monks were mixing together a few different ingredients.

[Joy Dolo]

How about some charcoal and potassium nitrate and sulfur when they accidentally invented gunpowder. Somehow, I don't think we should eat that. That stuff's not gonna help me live forever. It's gonna do the opposite. Yeah, but let's make it again.

[Elliot]

The monks experimented some more. Soon, they had a recipe for gunpowder.

[Joy Dolo]

It made a much louder sound than the bamboo firecrackers.

[Elliot]

So they stuffed bamboo shoots in paper packets with gunpowder, lit them on fire, and cut bluey.

[Joy Dolo]

Not long afterwards, the Chinese figured out how to make fireworks shoot up into the air and create little orange flares.

[Elliot]

In the sky like the fireworks we see today.

[Joy Dolo]

Speaking of which, it's almost time to go watch the big show. I can't wait. I love fireworks.

[Elliot]

Yeah, yeah, me too. Me too.

[Joy Dolo]

You know, as a giant Potato Head, I am not a fan. Fireworks are so loud, they make me want to take my ears off. And they're so smoky. Makes me feel like an old fried potato. I get it, Mr. And Mrs. Potato Head. Fireworks aren't everyone's cup of bubble tea. My dog gets kind of nervous when he hears the loud bangs fireworks make, too. I wish there was a less noisy version of them. There is. And it uses drones. Little robot helicopters operated by remote control.

[Elliot]

Oh, yeah. Drone shows are awesome.

[Joy Dolo]

They put lights on a bunch of drones and make them dance together like synchronized swimmers to create images in the sky.

[Elliot]

They can make almost any image you want. Bugs Bunny, Boba tea.

[Joy Dolo]

They can even spell out April 30th rocks. And actually, China makes more drones than any other country in the world. Most drones are made in a city called Shenzhen. In 2024, the city hosted a drone spectacular with over 10,000 drones synchronized together.

[Elliot]

Oh, yeah, I read about that in the Guinness Book of World Records.

[Joy Dolo]

The fireworks are starting. Fireworks are colorful, loud explosives used to celebrate all sorts. Holidays and special events like the Chinese New Year.

[Elliot]

The earliest form of fireworks were exploding bamboo firecrackers.

[Joy Dolo]

But the fireworks we see today aren't made of bamboo.

[Elliot]

They're made of gunpowder, which Chinese Taoist monks invented by mistake. They were trying to create a potion of eternal life.

[Joy Dolo]

We still use gunpowder in the firecrackers and fireworks we know and love today.

[Elliot]

And if you don't like, love how loud and smoky fireworks are, drone fireworks are a cool way to celebrate.

[Joy Dolo]

This episode was written by Rosie Dupont. It was produced by Ruby Guthrie and Nico Gonzalez Whistler. Our editors are Sandon Totten and Shayla Farzon. Fact checking by Rebecca Rand. Engineering help from Alex Allinson and Jess Berg with sound design by Rachel Breese. Original the music by Mark Sanchez. We had additional production help from the rest of the Brains on Universe Team. Molly Bloom, Anna Goldfield, Lauren Humphert, Joshua Ray, Mark Sanchez, Charlotte Traver, Anna Wegel and Aron Woldeselassi. Beth Pearlman is our executive producer. And the executives in charge of APM Studios are Chandra Kavati and Joanne Griffith. Special thanks to Dr. Haiwang Yuan, Brant Miller, Aaron O'Malley, Joe Getz and Kim Parker. And Kim Parker's Trip Curry.

[Elliot]

And if you want access to ad free episodes and special bonus content, subscribe to our smarty pass.

[Joy Dolo]

Okay, Elliot, are you ready to hear the answers for First Things First?

[Elliot]

Yes, I am.

[Joy Dolo]

Okay, so as a reminder, we're putting these three items in order and this was your order. Number one was party balloons. Number two was glow sticks, and number three was bubbles, right?

[Elliot]

Yes.

[Joy Dolo]

Yes. All right, here we go. The answers to First Things first. And the first thing is bubbles.

[Elliot]

Dang it.

[Joy Dolo]

Bubbles. Yeah, that's what I did not See that coming. Bubbles was first. And the first bubbles was invented in the 1600s. So soap bubbles have been around since ancient times, which I didn't know. Maybe I should listen to this soap episode again. But. But we know for certain that have played with soap bubbles for at least 400 years, since the 1600s. We know this because there are European paintings from that time that show kids blowing bubbles with clay pipes. Blowing bubbles for fun took off in the United States when a company called Chemtoy started selling bubble solution in 1940.

[Elliot]

Whoa.

[Joy Dolo]

Could you imagine blowing bubbles with a clay pipe?

[Elliot]

No. Do you think it would taste really dusty?

[Joy Dolo]

I bet. And like, chalky?

[Elliot]

Yeah.

[Joy Dolo]

But the next. Next one. So we had bubbles first, and then second was party balloons. So party balloons were invented in 1824, and a chemist and physicist, Michael Faraday, invented the rubber balloon. They were designed to be used in science experiments, but by the late 1800s, people were partying with them. Those were the birthday parties I was talking about. I knew they had them. I knew they had birthday party balloons back then. I knew it. Americans invented the first sausage balloons in 1912. The sausage balloon. Like. Like link, I'm assuming, like sausage links.

[Elliot]

Or like the clown ones.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah, like the ones clown used to get to twist up and make, like, horses and stuff.

[Elliot]

Yeah.

[Joy Dolo]

And people started twisting them into cool shapes like horses in the 1930s and 40s. Balloon poodle, anyone? Okay, so it could be a poodle or a horse. Which one do you. Which one do you usually go for?

[Elliot]

A poodle.

[Joy Dolo]

A poodle poodle. I'll go with poodle, too. A green poodle. So that means last but not least was glow sticks. And that was invented in 1962. So organic chemist Edwin Chandross discovered the chemical reaction needed to make glow sticks in 1962. He discovered that when you mix hydrogen peroxide with another chemical called oxalate ester, you get a substance that glows, you add some dye to the mix, and you can make glow sticks turn different colors. And don't worry, the liquid in glow sticks is generally non toxic. But if your glow stick breaks, you still shouldn't swallow it. I wish I would have known that a week ago. Were you surprised by any of these answers? Bubbles, 1600s. Party balloons, 1824.

[Elliot]

Bubbles. I did not expect.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah, I didn't see that one coming either. I also think the. The balloons are pretty cool. Like, I didn't realize that they were going back that far. 1824.

[Elliot]

I guess it would make sense that they were for science.

[Joy Dolo]

Yeah, for science. Well, you did a great job, Elliot. Great guesses. Join us in two weeks for a new episode all about maple syrup.

[Elliot]

Ooh, maple syrup.

[Joy Dolo]

Yummy.

[Elliot]

Thanks for listen.