The Firework Boxers
But our firework show gives scope for far better effects even than this. Some time ago great surprise was caused at an exhibition by the production of a firework boxer. With a little care and ingenuity, the same surprising result may be produced in the following manner:—
By means of a needle prick out two boxers in a defensive position (C and D, [Fig. 5]). The others must then be designed; only in this case, one boxer is administering the coup de grace to his unfortunate opponent.
Two grooved strips of wood are next glued to the top and bottom, as shown at A, [Fig. 5], and two pieces of cardboard slid between them (B, B). These two cards should then be connected by three pieces of wire, as shown in the diagram, and have their corners rounded off in order to insure free movement in the grooves.
By pulling the left wire one pair of figures is hidden and the other revealed. Thus we have two firework boxers, who will fight a short but decisive contest.
Fig. 5.—The firework boxers.
There is another type of “indoor firework” working on the same principle as the above. A reference to [Fig. 6] will put the exhibitor in possession of all its details.
Fig. 6.—Another type of indoor fireworks with changing views.
At first only the central “Catherine wheel” is seen by the audience. Then, on the wire to the left being pulled, and the cardboard to which it is attached raised, a fountain of fire shoots into the air and bursts into a number of stars. A similar occurrence takes place on the right, and by pulling the central wire the “Catherine wheel” is made suddenly to vanish and give place to the spectacle depicted at D.
Care should be taken when manipulating these “mechanical” fireworks that the hand does not come between the light and the framework.
Of course, on the above principles, numerous other designs may be made for the show, and a stock of “fireworks” manufactured that will dwarf any supply.