‘Flash! Bang! Boom!’ Exhibition Opening Lights Up the Night

The Science History Institute welcomed an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 300 to the opening of Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks, a new exhibition that explores the science, art, and cross-cultural history of fireworks. Held on Friday, April 10, the lively launch party featured family-friendly activities, a curator’s talk, and light bites and refreshing drinks in our courtyard.

In addition to getting a sneak peek at Flash! Bang! Boom!, guests shared their favorite fireworks memories, learned about the science behind fireproof materials, took an up-close look at the inside of a firework, heard pro tips on fireworks safety from the American Pyrotechnic Association, and viewed historical firework matchbook covers from the Liberty Bell Matchcover Club.

Co-curators Jesse Smith, the Institute’s vice president of interpretation and education and director of the museum, and Nadia Berenstein, a historian of science and former Institute fellow, gave a fascinating behind-the-scenes tour of Flash! Bang! Boom!, with a special shout out to our lenders and donors whose contributions made the exhibition possible. Highlights include Brown University Library’s collection of gouache paintings depicting the famous C.T. Brock & Co.’s Crystal Palace Fireworks displays from the late 1800s; rare books, catalogs, and booklets from the University of Pennsylvania Library and Hagley Museum & Library; a baseball “home run” box and detonator from the 1970s courtesy of American Fireworks Co.; gunpowder artwork from the Cai Foundation; various tools for making fireworks from Zambelli Fireworks • FX; detonated firework mortars called “flowerpots” courtesy of Celebration Fireworks; and a testing kit from the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory.

The curator’s talk also featured a preview of the Institute’s historical fireworks displays scheduled for June 20 and 21 in partnership with Wawa Welcome America’s Philly Fair 250 taking place in Fairmount Park. We’ll also be showcasing Flash! Bang! Boom! at our pop-up museum during this free multiday extravaganza, with hands-on activities designed for all ages. 

On view through July 31, 2027, Flash! Bang! Boom! is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10am to 5pm; admission is free.

About Flash! Bang! Boom!

Flash! Bang! Boom! A History of Fireworks is the Science History Institute’s new temporary exhibition that explores the origins of fireworks and the science behind them—from the way they are made, designed, and tested, to how they are sold and ultimately launched into the sky. This sparkling new exhibition is our contribution to America’s nationwide celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Media Coverage

Science History Institute Lights Up Old City with New Fireworks History Exhibit
KYW Newsradio | April 11, 2026

Flash! Bang! Boom!: New Fireworks Exhibit Explores Science, Spectacle and History
Metro Philadelphia | March 27, 2026

Fireworks History Exhibit to Open in Philadelphia This Spring
WMMR.com | January 28, 2026

A Fireworks History Exhibition Is Coming to Old City for America’s 250th
PhillyVoice | January 21, 2026

Support

Major support for Flash! Bang! Boom! has been provided by the Bolte Family Foundation, Maria Maccecchini/Annovis Bio, and Kenan & Andrea Sahin/CAMX Power, with additional support from the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, the Laurie Landeau Foundation LLC & Lew Gasorek, Dan Adams & Manon Cox, Chris Alafi/Bering Capital, Barry Arkles & Janine Black, Peter Bernstein & Ala Hamilton-Day, Cynthia Cai, Michael DeSimone & Susan Hughes, Kathleen Egan & Rod Ferguson, the Fireworks Foundation, Freedom Integrated Energy and Chemical Company, David Martin, Fred & Kimberly Middleton, Mike Oeth, Louise Palmer & Stephen Salzer, Christopher D. Pappas, Margaret H. Rakowsky, Eric Rugart, John Spears, Cheryl Teich, and Fredric & Elizabeth Weber.

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All images: Science History Institute/Meredith Edlow