Fig. 2.—Showing firework design formed by series of small holes.
Fig. 3.—Revolving wheel, spaces fitted with colored tissue paper.
From another piece of cardboard cut out a wheel about 6 inches in diameter, and of the shape shown in [Fig. 3]. The numerous spaces between the spokes should be filled with pieces of transparent tissue paper of various colors.
A small stand upon which this wheel can revolve is the next requisite. This simply consists of a flat wooden base, with two wooden uprights glued firmly upon it. These uprights are connected at one extremity by a short piece of wire—an ordinary pin will serve the purpose excellently—forming an axle for the cardboard to revolve upon. [Fig. 3] makes this quite clear.
Now to test the effect of the first firework.
Fix the cardboard design in the upper portion of the frame, and stand the whole upon a table. Then take a magic lantern (B, [Fig. 4]), or, failing this, a bull’s-eye lantern or cycle lamp, and focus its rays upon the cardboard design. Next place the “wheel” (C, [Fig. 4]) in such a position that the beam of light shines through one of the tissue paper films, and then continues its original course to the screen.
When everything is in position, the room in which the display is to take place must be darkened. Having done this, grip the edge of the “wheel” by the thumb and forefinger, and spin it sharply round.
Fig. 4.—Firework apparatus complete.