Members Event: Pyrotechnics with Matthew Tosh

Member Events

Expert pyrotechnician Matthew Tosh will demonstrate and discuss the art and chemistry of making fireworks displays. Experience the sights, sounds, smell and tastes of a live firework demonstration - flashes, bangs, pops, fizzing, smoking, roaring and glowing colours - while Matthew talks about the chemistry and physics underpinning the range of visual, aural and olfactory effects, as well as the technology, engineering, maths and choreography used to create these enthralling displays. Matthew has been working in pyrotechnics for over seven years and his performance will have you on the edge of your seat with excitement, laughter and sheer fascination!

This demonstration is part of a larger Society for the History of Alchemy and Chemistry meeting, entitled 'Making Chemistry: History, Materials, and Practices'. Attendees of this demonstration are encouraged to join the conference for a full discussion of the history of chemistry involved in the making of fireworks, firefighting devices and domestic cleaning products, for example. Whilst the fireworks demonstration is free to members, the rest of the conference, which is held at the Royal Institution, is subject to a registration fee. The programme for the rest of the day and details of how to register are in the document below.