[johnny]

Originally Posted by Gozed

Fireworks were originally a tool of war, as were most things.

Actually, while gunpowder was a tool of war and gunpowder is used in fireworks, fireworks themselves were a tool of superstition.

The Chinese thought the bright lights and noise scared away evil spirits and ill-will in the New Year.

(Thus ends today's session of "Stuff johnny's Humanities of Asia Professor Would Teach When the Overhead Projector Malfunctioned." Tune in next time!)