Synopses & Reviews
Universally popular, uncommonly loud, a pyrotechnic spectacle that inspires laughter, delight and a healthy dose of frayed nerves—what else but the firecracker! These little sticks of paper and powder have captured the imagination of cultures the world over since the Chinese invented them centuries ago. As practical, chemical developments in firecracker production proceeded apace, the popular art form of label design flourished, leaving us with a remarkable visual record of the myths and cultural attitudes of the Chinese manufacturers and their markets. FIRECRACKERS explores the art form in detail, linking it to history and exploring its relevance in the various cultures that ceremonialize this peculiar bang. Includes reproductions of over 100 full-color labels, as well as tips on finding and saving firecracker art.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-127) and index.
About the Author
WARREN DOTZ is a pop culture historian and the author of eight books on advertising art. As an authority on product label art, his commentary has appeared in
Advertising Age, Brandweek, and the
New York Times Magazine. He lives and works in Berkeley, California.
JACK MINGO is a writer with more than a dozen books and numerous articles in scores of publications to his credit. He lives in Alameda, California.
GEORGE MOYER is a licensed pyrotechnician and a lifelong collector of firecracker labels with one of the largest collections in the United States. He lives in Pottsville, Pennsylvania.