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		By: Jonathan Jay The sound of firecrackers is a distinctive feature on Chinese festivals and joyous personal occasions. Firecrackers are called by various names at different times and in different parts of the country. When gunpowder was invented in China, it was used to fill in bamboo tubes and, when lighted, produced loud explosions. Firecrackers came to be called “Baozhang”. “Baozhang” led to the earliest crackers of gunpowder rolled in paper, which could give out single explosion only. The double-bang “ertijiao” and stringed firecracker “bianpao” came as later innovations. Modern times have witnessed further improvements of the traditional firecracker. Color-luminescent chemicals are added into gunpowder, and the firework shells fired up by cannons explode high in the air, covering the night sky with magnificent displays of colorful splendor. “Enthusiasts” for firecrackers have always been youths and children.