The "Married With Children" marathon had a review episode hosted by George Plimpton.
I had heard of him, especially with respect to his "research" as an amateur athlete performing in professional sports, but that was about it.
So, curious me looked him up. What a gadabout ! But this particular adventure appealed to me:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_PlimptonFireworks[edit]
Plimpton was a demolitions expert in the post-World War II Army. After returning to New York from Paris, he routinely fired off fireworks at his evening parties.[28]
His enthusiasm for fireworks grew, and he was appointed Fireworks Commissioner of New York by Mayor John Lindsay,[28][29] an unofficial post he held until his death.[2]
In 1975, in Bellport, Long Island, Plimpton, with Fireworks by Grucci, attempted to break the record for the world's largest firework.[30][31][32] His firework, a Roman candle named "Fat Man",[30][31][32] weighed 720 pounds (330 kg)[30] and was expected to rise to 1,000 feet (300 m)[32] or more[30] and deliver a wide starburst.[31] When lit, the firework remained on the ground and exploded, blasting a crater 35 feet (11 m) wide and 10 feet (3.0 m) deep.[32] A later attempt, fired at Cape Canaveral, rose approximately 50 feet (15 m) into the air and broke 700 windows in Titusville, Florida.[28]
I guess he had problems with lifting charges, eh?
There's more, but that tickled me in light of the puny little bangs from my Independence Day 0.50" bore salute cannon.
Terry, 230RN
