Flower Burst

Flower Burst

　　Flower Burst has long been a specialty of Wanzai. It is a collective term for “fireworks” and “firecrackers.” Wanzai is famous for Flower Burst, and Flower Burst was born thanks to Li Tian.

　　 The production of fireworks began in 1964, before which Wanzai mainly produced firecrackers. Since 1972, in line with international market demand, manufacturers such as the Zhutan and Huangmao Export Flower Burst Factory, the Jinzhong Export Flower Burst Factory, and the Kangle Export Flower Burst Factory organized technical personnel to develop new types of fireworks and launched a large number of new products to the market. By 2005, there were 13 categories and over 2,000 varieties, including fountain fireworks, spinning fireworks, aerial fireworks, spinning aerial fireworks, peony shell fireworks, incense stick fireworks, smoke fireworks, model toy fireworks, friction fireworks, small display fireworks, display shells, rack fireworks, and combination fireworks. After December 30, 2001, Wanzai ceased the production of display shells larger than 2 inches and single-shot fireworks with a charge exceeding 20 grams or individual charges exceeding 200 grams.

　　Innovation and Process Improvement of Flower Burst Products Since the mid-1970s, driven by market demand, various production enterprises set up new product development laboratories, departments, and institutes, developing over 2,000 varieties of firecrackers and fireworks in 13 categories with different specifications, contents, sound intensities, and colors. The range of produced firecrackers was comprehensive, among which popular entertainment products included bumper balls and magic whips. The first scientific research institute in Wanzai County dedicated to Flower Burst products, the “Wanzai County Zhutan Flower Burst Science Research Institute,” was established in January 1984, with Long Zhixiang as its director. That year, over 30 new varieties were developed, and the institute naturally disbanded in 1990. From 1986 to 2005, the county had over 1,000 professionals engaged in Flower Burst development and technical guidance.

　　Flower Burst production has traditionally been manual, with very complex procedures and low efficiency, resulting in unstable product quality. Starting in the 1980s, black powder was replaced to reduce processes such as nitrate boiling, frying, pounding, grinding, and drying. Paper cutting, tube wiping, and tube waisting were mechanized, reducing processes like tube pasting, trimming, sealing, and opening. Starting in 2003, fuse insertion for firecrackers began using hand-cranked machinery, and edge tying adopted foot-operated and fully automatic computerized edge tying machines. Firecracker production increased significantly, reaching over 25,000 boxes per day. For fireworks production, mechanical pressing of gunpowder was introduced, with nearly 100 pressing machines of various sizes across the county. There were over 200 paper cutting machines and more than 400 rolling machines. The county’s first mechanical gunpowder pressing workshop for fireworks was built and put into operation in the mid-1980s at the Huangmao Export Flower Burst Factory. The county’s first fireworks safety production line was established and operational in June 1989 at the Tanbu Export Flower Burst Factory. On September 26, 1989, it was officially inspected and accepted by the Jiangxi Provincial Science Commission and the Jiangxi Provincial Flower Burst Quality Inspection Station. In 1991, it won the Second Prize of the Spark Program from the Jiangxi Provincial Science Commission. In November 1991, it received the Silver Award at the National Spark Program Expo during the Seventh Five-Year Plan period from the State Science and Technology Commission.