Fireworks have held a long tradition in Malta, even dating back to the time of the Order of the Knights of St John, who used pyrotechnics – otherwise known as fireworks – to celebrate significant events. Nowadays, fireworks are still a beloved tradition enjoyed by thousands of locals and tourists every Maltese summer, but have you ever wondered how fireworks are made?
Modern tech is used at every point, including fireworks fields
We’ve undeniably come a long way since gun powder was discovered, and nowadays, modern technology is at every point we turn, including firework fields.
Gagets met Jason Borg, a synchronised fireworks expert behind the Santa Marija fireworks factory in Mqabba, who explained how the team always thinks ahead to the following year and launch the manufacturing of the fireworks in September, just one month after the feast is held. Then, in July of the following year, installation begins.
Firework installation is mapped out strategically to place everything in different positions, at different angles, and set at different times in order to attain the desired display. Anything you can possibly think of can be illustrated through fireworks. The sky’s the limit. Literally.
3,000+ fireworks can be triggered from a single device
Once everything is installed, a computerised system is introduced before running tests, and inputting music and timings into the system, as well as the data of the kind of firework that will set off.
A master control box is also incorporated, and has the power to control up to 99 different modules within a single field. Each individual module also supports 32 different fireworks on its own – that means that 3,168 fireworks can be triggered from a single device!
With everything set in place, the system then automatically ignites and launches the fireworks into a spectacular display!
