Sentinel owl
2008-07-02, 01:26
There was a great program on tonight on NOVA tonight (a program on public television (pbs) in the US). Did anyone else catch it? I was pretty impressed with the quality of information presented. Usually tv programs "dumb down" fireworks for the uneducated masses. not this one! It not only named the ingredients of bp (I've seen a program that said it's "a composition of saltpeter, sulfur, and honey"), but the proportions too! It also went in-depth on different kinds of devices, plus it interviewed the Zambellis (http://www.fireworkscompany.com/home.html), a famous Italian family of master pyrotechnicians. There was actually a lot of good information, and I even learned a bit!
It talked about the history of fireworks and how modern technology has allowed more advanced shows coordinated with music and lasers (not sure how I feel about that), and showed how the Zambellis wired up their entire show on a barge on a river in Boston.
I was a little disappointed that the producers chose to include this idiot (http://www.gwally.com/pyroboy/) in the show. I guess you need to contrast the cautious, wise masters with a young, reckless fool. The interview with him really portrayed him as antisocial and a bit crazy. he basically dons a nascar suit and duck-tapes commercial fireworks to himself and lights them. This is a direct quote from him: "I strap pyrotechnics to myself and blow myself up." Thumbs DOWN to that. It was funny though, because the way he spoke and behaved was a spitting image of the way kewls talk on BB!
In all, a great program. Check out the site's web page here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/?campaign=pbshomefeatures_4_novabrfireworks_2008-07-01
There's bound to be some good stuff there.
It talked about the history of fireworks and how modern technology has allowed more advanced shows coordinated with music and lasers (not sure how I feel about that), and showed how the Zambellis wired up their entire show on a barge on a river in Boston.
I was a little disappointed that the producers chose to include this idiot (http://www.gwally.com/pyroboy/) in the show. I guess you need to contrast the cautious, wise masters with a young, reckless fool. The interview with him really portrayed him as antisocial and a bit crazy. he basically dons a nascar suit and duck-tapes commercial fireworks to himself and lights them. This is a direct quote from him: "I strap pyrotechnics to myself and blow myself up." Thumbs DOWN to that. It was funny though, because the way he spoke and behaved was a spitting image of the way kewls talk on BB!
In all, a great program. Check out the site's web page here:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/fireworks/?campaign=pbshomefeatures_4_novabrfireworks_2008-07-01
There's bound to be some good stuff there.