Fireworks were invented in China, around 600-900 B.C. It was likely created when alchemists experimented on various sulfurous mixtures to create an elixir of life. Documents say that one of these mixtures, which contained sulfur, potassium nitrate, honey, and arsenic disulfide, ignited accidentally when it was being cooked over a fire. This mixture created a flame that burnt the alchemists and burned down their working place. The alchemists were fascinated with this explosive mixture and tried to recreate a more powerful version, despite the risks. This mixture was called huo yao, or fire chemical. They found out that putting this fire chemical in preexisting fireworks, which were just green bamboo that exploded due to pockets of air and sap bursting through the side from being heated, would create a louder and more intense explosion. This creation would one day be known as a firework.