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    No one knows who first invented fireworks.  Some historians say that it was the Chinese, and that they were brought back to Europe from China by the Italian explorer, Marco Polo.  Others believe that it was the Arabs.  One fact that is known for sure, is that people have been celebrating with fireworks for over 600 years.

    For many centuries, the chemical used for fireworks was Saltpeter; Potassium Nitrate.  This salt is found throughout the East and it was there that fireworks mixtures of Saltpeter, Sulfur, and Charcoal first appeared.  Although gunpowder is made with those same substances, it was not until guns were invented in Europe at the beginning of the 14th century that a particular mixture of them came to be known as gunpowder.  Meanwhile such mixtures were used in China in making fireworks, both for war and for pleasure.

    Knowledge of fireworks spread to Europe during the 13th century and developed rapidly, first in Italy, then in France and other countries.  Displays were first given in connection with religious festivals. 

    During the 18th century, a growing number of civilian pyrotechnists provided one of the main attractions at the public pleasure gardens which had sprung up round most European cities.  The people who used to make and handle fireworks were refered to as "Firemasters", "Wild Men" or "Green Men"(The name, Green Men, comes from pyrotechnists encasing themselves in green bamboo to keep from catching fire. Also the phase, "Stay Green" comes from this. It's the pyro version of the theaters, "Break a Leg"). These masters of fire were in great demand in many kingdoms and palaces. They were in charge of the entertainment at the many celebrations, military victories, religious festivals and crowning of royalty ceremonies. They were a lot like jesters, running through the crowd warning people to back away, and setting off firecrackers. Many of the firemasters were killed or injured as they entertained others with their dangerous profession. Later, firework displays became a feature of national festivals and celebrations in many countries and have become ever more spectacular.  

    Until the beginning of the 19th century, the only colors known in fireworks were those of ordinary flame; then the introduction of the chemical Potassium Chlorate in the 18th century made real colors possible.  A mixture containing it burns with sufficient heat to turn a metal to gas.  Thus tinting the resulting flame.

• Barium salts give a green tint.
• Strontium a red tint. 
• Sodium yellow. 
• Copper, in the presence of chlorine gas given off by the burning Potassium Chlorate, gives off blue.
• Aluminum or Magnesium produce white.
• Charcoal added to Black Powder gives the fireworks a flaming tail that sparkles as it shoots into the sky.

Resources:
Roth J. "Fireworks" The World Book Encyclopedia Vol. 7 (1981)
"Fireworks" Encyclopeadia Britannica Vol. 7 (1995)