Now, ancient Egyptians did not have or use fireworks, but it is quite interesting that some of the minerals used in pigments since antiquity are what makes the beautiful colors in fireworks displays. The Chinese first invented gun powder and fireworks circa 900 AD, and their culture retains a legendary fascination with things that go … [Read more...] about Things That Go Boom!
sulfur
Monks Seeing Red
Very early manuscripts document both the manufacture and use of vermilion. Some called this indispensable color the prince of reds which was more brilliant than the natural cinnabar. Theophilus (Roger of Helmarshausen)the Benedictine Monk, described the alchemical synthesis in his technical handbook De diversis artibus (On Divers Arts … [Read more...] about Monks Seeing Red