13 replies to this topic

[spectrum]

Talking to another member recently on the telephone I shared a story which might be of interest on this forum. It illustrates very clearly the difference between the manufacturers of a bygone age and, I am afraid, a great many of those involved in the trade now.

Standard Fireworks used to produce a firework called "Parachute Floating Light", I recall seeing this during one of the annual back garden displays hosted by an uncle of mine who owned a sweetshop and who was exceptionally generous at guy fawkes night. (Thank you David Dorman).

The effect was quite different and many of you will remember it. A simple coloured star suspended on a small parachute, maybe unsophisticated by todays standards but absolutely delightful and something which obviously inspired me to some small degree.

The story is that a blind man wrote in to the Standard factory asking for a job, this was of course impossible for safety reasons but the request was taken very seriously by the M.D. who called in the company chemist and gave him the task of finding this man work. He was a philantropic fellow and took his responsibilities very seriously, (an attitude which I saw sadly missing in the mad rush to close down factories in the 1980's just so the fat cats could squeeze a bit more of their work at the expense of hundreds of redundancies - but that's another story).

Anyway, the Chemist went away and designed the "Parachute Floating Light" which could be assembled as an inert unit from the chaps home and brought back in for live filling. It was a brilliant and generous act on the part of both men, illustrated by the fact that, years later, when times were a little harder, the job was re-examined and it was decided that the company had been losing money for some time. When it was suggested that the firework be dropped, the M.D. reacted strongly and defended the blind man and his position stating that he did a good job and deserved the right to work. They had a responsibility to honour and support this as his employers. The idea was dropped and it was decided to let him continue making the firework, at his present rate of pay for as long as he wanted to.

I imagine they thought he would get fed up and chuck his job in, I am certain that would have made sense commercially. He didn't though. He kept on making the things for years and years and they kept on paying him to do just that, losing money on every one they made. The line was only dropped when the guy died.

If you ever see one of these lovely little fireworks think of the M.D. and the blind man and maybe (if you that way inclined) remember both with a kind thought or a little prayer (aren't I a softy!)

I think this sums up the industry of yesteryear - not just fireworks but other lines of work too, maybe this is one of the reasons why sentimentality manifested in the form of old fireworks is popular with those of us pissed off with the harsh and sometimes uncaring world we are all struggling to live in today.

Maybe there should be a prize, sponsored by the BPS for the first LEGAL firework manufacturer to re-establish commercial production of this (or some other noteworthy) firework, paid on completion of the manufacture and sale of the first batch of one gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sad sentimantal old Spectrum

[redcone]

Hi Spectrum,

Thanks for sharing that heart-warming story. It certainly seems like a different age doesn't it.

Regards,
Simon.

[spectrum]

Hi Spectrum,

Thanks for sharing that heart-warming story. It certainly seems like a different age doesn't it.

Regards,
Simon.

I thought no-one would bother!!!!

[pyrotechnist]

I wish we had a thriving fireworks industry inour days but in todays society it is not happening. Thanks for the story my friend .

[nimbus2]

That is the most moving story I have ever read on the forum and I want to thank you, Spectrum, for sharing it. It has a spiritual quality that reflects a bygone age, when people really cared about each other. Cheers.

[spectrum]

That is the most moving story I have ever read on the forum and I want to thank you, Spectrum, for sharing it. It has a spiritual quality that reflects a bygone age, when people really cared about each other. Cheers.

Just what I thought when I was told the story (15 years ago or so by a certain Rev. Lancaster). Thanks for the kind words, I am glad to be in the company of like minded and decent people, many of whom I am certain will be instrumental in the resurrection of the industry in this country one day.

[The Legendary Graham]

its funny that i just read this story as i was talking to Richard just last night about a parachute firework called the UFO that was in a Blackcat box, it took me back to the days when standard made the parachute repeater or their big display rocket that dropped out a string of flares on a parachute. shame these inspired fireworks are a dying breed

[David]

A good tale. My Grandma for years worked with the blind of Huddersfield- on work projects and the like- and so she may well have known this man.

That said, this story was nice, but it does highlight a rather debatable- should a business behave like a business?

Now I think most of the employees (labelling etc) of Standard (which is owned by Black Cat) are Polish migrants. I have no objection to this, of course, but it simply isn't the local employer that it once was.

[pyrotechnist]

That may be true David but when i was their it seemed to be allot of Asian (i really hope no one finds this racist because it isn't) people of whom some had moved on from when the factory was in its working era.

[spectrum]

Guys, I am the most non - pollitically correct person in the world but to address the points made:

1. It doesn't matter one bit what the nationality of the local labour pool is, the important thing to me might be that LOCAL people contribute to the efforts of the business. Huddersfield wouldn't be Huddersfield without its Asian community and they were evry bit a part of the Standard workforce.

2. A business should not be simply a pounds, shillings and pence affair. It should make a mark and demonstrate a social responsibility. We no longer have an industry largely because of the focus on economic savings achieved by outsourcing production to the far east. I have seen with my own eyes the effects of this and the loss of technology and skill which naturally follows. There is more to life than just money and I take my hat off to the Standard people for supporting a blind man even though there would, no doubt, have been a crowd of well intentioned advisors pointing out the financial folly of doing just that.

I am happy to run a factory which will never make me a millionaire (nor will it make me a saint) but which will still be here and remembered long after the industrious and talented importers have moved onto the next commodity. I would omit a small number of talented individuals from this slur - they know who they are I am sure as they demonstrate generous practical support for this forum and, I believe the views I express..

That is all a bit political, I have have too much to drink and am on my soapbox.

[GZ22]

The Parachute Floating Light is one of my fondest memories from childhood, I was convinced that there was a toy man on the parachute and always wanted to get it when it landed, but it always went way way too far away over the roofs of neighbouring streets. It had an intense luminous blue to the parachute as I remember, and watching it drift from my back yard was truly magical. It would be beautiful if someone made those again. I have a lot to thank Standard and that blind man for.

Edited by GZ22, 02 November 2007 - 01:07 PM.

[concept]

Hi all, recently i've been trying to re-create this classic firework, I’ve nearly cracked it but I was just wondering what colour was the flare? Also does anyone have a scan of the label that they could e-mail me, if so could you drop me a PM and I’ll give you my e-mail address.

Thanks Doug

[Mortartube]

The flare was white on the ones we had. Probably Mg based as it was quite bright.

Edited by Mortartube, 02 October 2008 - 08:56 PM.

[lethalman]

i remember them the good old days its not the same now days ,don't think you can get them now days be cool if i cound. loads of good fireworks have been banned because of silly yobs .old fireworks was loads better. but i love cakes thare my fav I've see they put the power down on uk rocket laws whisting air b**b rockets just make a crack sound lol lame .on chines new year in the uk in london ppl was using firecrackers was they only allowed to be sold for one night or set of from pro firework ppl.

Edited by lethalman, 09 October 2008 - 11:17 PM.