Indoor Fireworks

I have this memory of having indoor fireworks as a kid that came as a set in a box a bit like you’d buy a game.  This was maybe in the late Seventies, early Eighties.

You’d build and set off these various probably dodgy little chemistry reaction type things.

Not rockets and multiple huge bangs like proper fireworks of course, but I seem to have a memory of a man’s face that you’d put this stick in and light and it would blow smoke rings like he was puffing on a tab.

Then there was this little tablet thing that you’d light and it would spring into life and erupt and erupt into a long, charcoal swirling snake type thing.

Can’t remember what else.

Anyone else remember these indoor fireworks, or have I been at the sherry?

Yes, they were definitely a thing. We’d have these on the kitchen table and then sparklers in the garden.

erupt into a long, charcoal swirling snake type thing.

and there was a mini volcano thing as well wasn’t there? Maybe one Xmas we had them – mid-late 70s probs.

And there were some strange paper things that you put in a bowl of water and they opened out into a big flower?

Yep, we had some and was actually talking about them a couple of nights ago.

I can’t imagine they’d even be allowed now, there would be uproar

I remember one that you lit and it sort of took off like a smouldering cloud, also a snake like you say. I had forgotten the volcano but yes, I remember now.

I would think mid late 70s

I remember them being fascinating but slightly disappointing, and very VERY smelly. I think we tried them once and then weren’t allowed again – probably because of the way the smell lingered in the kitchen for days rather than any fear of injury.

I remember an uncle rolling ameretti biscuit papers into a tube a lighting the top resulting in a burning tube of paper and ash floating upto the ceiling. Doesn’t work with the wrappers these days.

Yeah they did, they were shite.

I remember an uncle rolling ameretti biscuit papers into a tube a lighting the top resulting in a burning tube of paper and ash floating upto the ceiling. Doesn’t work with the wrappers these days.

I’m surprised you don’t remember the flashing blue lights and the sound of heavy boots running up the garden path

I remember them as well – probably made from asbestos, artex, and leaded petrol blended together with a bit of ground up lead water pipe and thalate plasticisers.

They were pretty cool though.

Nothing wrong with fireworks really, except for what seems to be a push towards ones that sound like the IRA have set off a bomb up the road.

You get sparkly ones that do their sparkly thing in a fountain, ones that shoot out multiple what are simply pops, Catherine wheels, and hand held sparklers, none of which really make that much of a noise.

Faze out the super loud stuff, everything else is fine.

You get sparkly ones that do their sparkly thing in a fountain, ones that shoot out multiple what are simply pops, Catherine wheels, and hand held sparklers, none of which really make that much of a noise.

They’d all probably burn your house down when you set them off in the dining room though.

I tried to get some last year and was left a bit disappointed to be honest. It seems festive Elfin Safety has taken over. I did get some of those paper twist snaps last year as well as loads of sparklers. A quick google gives this

https://www.astoundedfireworks.com/shop/trafalgar-group-indoor-fireworks-bonanza-selection-pack/   bumfortunately sold out though. If you are near a Waitrose it seems that they sell them though.

I’m surprised you don’t remember the flashing blue lights and the sound of heavy boots running up the garden path

I do remember some bloke knocking on the door around bedtime who said, “er excuse me, I think your cars on fire”.  My dad has decided to put a blanket on his engine to keep it warm as there was going to be a frost and he wanted it to start in the morning.  This was his brand new company car.

Found a few here, including the magic snake!

They’re not so spectacular, they don’t burn up in the sky

But they can dazzle or delight

Or bring a tear

When the smoke gets in your eyes

Love that song 🙂

Also a thing in the 80s, perhaps early 80s. I have some memories of them, specifically being excited beforehand and then disappointed during and after.

I have some memories of them, specifically being excited beforehand and then disappointed during and after.

Sounds like Mrs OS’ description of date nights…!

I remember having these in the 80’s. We laughed as they were so shit. Literally like smoking turds appearing from a cone. Bloody stunk as well if I remember rightly.

I remember an uncle rolling ameretti biscuit papers into a tube a lighting the top resulting in a burning tube of paper and ash floating upto the ceiling. Doesn’t work with the wrappers these days.

Still do that sometimes in the fireplace…

You can still make indoor fireworks. Do stuff like leave the sink full of dirty pots or leave your dirty washing in front of the washer on the floor instead of putting it in and setting it off. Instant banging, loud noise etc.

Remember having a set on the dining room table one Xmas day in the early 70’s.

Two distinct memories: wondering why there was something that looked like it was doing a massive poo and very distinct disappointment that there weren’t any mini rockets

🙁