The Firework
Advert Archive

This chart maps the span of dated advertisements in the archive for each manufacturer — showing at a glance which companies were active in which eras and how the industry evolved over two and a half centuries. Longer bars reflect a greater range of dated adverts; they do not necessarily represent the full operational lifespan of each firm.

Years shown are the earliest and latest dated adverts for each company in this archive. Actual founding and closure dates may differ. Click a company name to browse its adverts.

Notes on Key Manufacturers

Astra Fireworks — Founded in 1946 by Bertie Yellin and Paul Lax and based in Sandwich, Kent, Astra Fireworks Ltd produced a wide range of consumer fireworks, operating from Licensed Factory 411 and distributing through their London agent Cleveland Toy Manufacturing Co. of 102 Cleveland Street, W.1. The company marketed its sparkler and Bengal match lines under the Cleveland brand name. Their archive of labels and promotional material is now held at the V&A Archive of Art and Design. By the 1980s Astra had reduced output to its most popular lines before ceasing UK production as cheaper Chinese imports took hold.

Brock's Fireworks — Founded by John Brock in the late 18th century and trading continuously until the 1990s, Brock's is the longest-documented manufacturer in this archive. Their Crystal Palace firework displays, held from 1865 until the Palace's destruction in 1936, were among the most celebrated public entertainments in Victorian and Edwardian Britain.

Pain's Fireworks — James Pain established his firework business in the mid-19th century. The company became famous for elaborate theatrical set pieces and pyrodramas, including the celebrated 'Human Bomb' spectacle. Pain's later merged with Wessex Fireworks to form Pains-Wessex, continuing as a major display manufacturer into the modern era.

Standard Fireworks — Founded in Huddersfield in 1891 by James Greenhalgh, Standard Fireworks became the dominant British garden firework brand of the 20th century. Their Crosland Hill factory was the heart of the British consumer firework industry, producing the tuppenny bangers and rockets that defined bonfire nights for generations.

Wells' Fireworks — Founded in Dartford, Kent in 1837 by Joseph Wells, who learned his trade as an explosive lighter man on the River Thames, Wells' was one of the longest-running firework businesses in Britain. Trading under the Crown Brand, the company provided fireworks for Royal coronations and jubilees, and displayed at Cowes and Henley Regattas. International commissions ranged from the Los Angeles Olympics to the original shows at Disneyland in Florida. Unable to compete with cheap Chinese imports, Wells closed its Dartford Marshes manufacturing plant in the late 1970s.