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Cherry bomb

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For other uses, see Cherry bomb (disambiguation).

Cherry Bombs (aka "Globe Salutes") are approximately spherical shaped exploding fireworks, ranging in size from three-quarters-inch to one-and-one-half-inch (1.9 cm to 3.8 cm) in diameter.

An array of some of the most common Cherry Bombs and Globe Salutes commercially available in the US. Picture Scale: the blue lines in the background are ½-inch apart. The salutes in the top row from left to right are: Kent Cherry Flash Salute, circa 1958; Havre de Grace Cherry Bomb (aka Arrow Brand), circa 1946; Peacock Standard Globe Cracker Bomb (India Export), circa 1995; United Cherry Salute, c1964; Row two from left: J.L. Morse Globe Salute, c1932; Po Sing Phantom Bomb, c1977; National Globe Salute, c1937; New Jersey Fireworks Cherry Bomb Salute, c1962; Row three: Miller Cherry Bomb, c1958; United Globe Salute, c1934; Victory Globe Salute, c1931; Triumph Colored Marble Flash Salute, c1938; Bottom row: United Cherry Salute, c1950; Victory Globe Flash Salute, c1937; Rozzi Cherry Salute (very faded), c1951; Unexcelled Cherry Salute, circa 1934.[1]

Composition

A typical cherry bomb containeed a core of explosive composition (i.e., flash powder or, less commonly, black powder) which was generally encapsulated inside a paper cup, which was in turn most commonly surrounded by a layer (approx. one-quarter inch thick) of sawdust infused with a mild adhesive (usually sodium silicate). An ignition fuse (aka "wick") was inserted into a hole drilled into the hardened sawdust sphere, all the way down to reach the explosive composition. The fuse extended outside the sphere approximately one to one-and-one-half inch. Cherry bombs are deacent. Once the fuse was ignited, it took about three to four-and-one-half seconds to reach the explosive composition and initiate detonation (i.e., explosion) of the firework.[2]

The color of the salute's exterior varied, depending on the manufacturer and the time period during which the salute was produced. Early on, in the late-1920s and 1930s, Globe Salutes had fuses which were tan, red or striped and multi-colored, and their body color varied, ranging from brown and tan to silver and red, and some were even decorated with multi-colored confetti. However, by the 1940s the most common color of the spherical salutes being marketed was a deep pink to red, with a green fuse, which is when the name Cherry Salute and Cherry Bomb entered popular use.[3]

These original spherical salutes were powerful enough to cause very serious injury and even death.[citation needed] Many hundreds of eyes and fingers were lost annually to these exploding toys of yesteryear,[citation needed] until they were totally banned in the USA in 1966, by the federal Child Protection Laws ("CPLs"). Historically, these Globe Salutes and Cherry Bombs were originally charged with 5 to 10 times the amount of explosive composition a standard inch-and-a-half paper firecracker had. But, after the enactment of the CPLs, all commercially produced spherical salutes, as well as all other powerful and deadly[citation needed] exploding fireworks, such as silver tube salutes and M-80, could not contain more than a certain government specified quantity of explosive composition, which typically amounted to less than 5% of their original amounts.[4]

Original potency Cherry Bombs are now considered illegal explosive devices in the United States.[5] Possession, manufacture, or sale of cherry bombs in the USA is illegal.

Cultural references

  • The Runaways had a song released in 1976 called Cherry Bomb. In her solo career, Joan Jett has re-recorded it and continues to perform it live
  • Bratmobile covered the Runaway's song, "Cherry Bomb," on their 1993 album Pottymouth.[6]
  • John Mellencamp wrote a song in 1987 called "Cherry Bomb."
  • Pop/rock band Ash also has a song called "Cherry Bomb" on their album, Free All Angels.
  • Spoon released a song called "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb" on their 2007 release, Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga.[7]
  • The Notorious Cherry Bombs is a band started by Rodney Crowell.
  • A song titled CherryBomb is performed by Japanese voice actress and singer Rumi Shishido for the Japanese magical girl anime, Ojamajo Doremi. The song is performed in the voice of the character Onpu Segawa.
  • Kylie Minogue had a song released in 2008 called Cherry Bomb.
  • In the TV series 8 Simple Rules, Rory is caught by CJ and Grandpa Jim of possession of a cherry bomb, which he planned to set off at that night's Halloween dance at the high school.
  • In the television series Boy Meets World in a episode called "The Fugitive" Shawn accidentally blows up Alan Matthew's supermarket mailbox.
  • In The Simpsons episode "The Crepes of Wrath", Bart takes a cherry bomb to school, "detonates" it in the school's plumbing, which blows Agnes Skinner (the principal's mother) off the toilet.
  • In the video game Ōkami, the Cherry Bomb is one of the 13 Celestial Brush Techniques.
  • In the video game Guitar Hero: World Tour, a styalised cherry bomb is an optional headstock design in guitar creator mode.
  • Flushing cherry bombs down the toilet was Keith Moon's favorite prank. His repeated practice of blowing up toilets with cherry bombs led him to be banned from lodging at several hotel chains around the world, including any Holiday Inn, Sheraton, and Hilton hotels.[8] It has been estimated that his destruction of toilets and plumbing ran as high as US$500,000.[9]
  • In the television series Code Red, "Fireworks," there is a criminal selling illegal fireworks that Fire Chief Joe Rorchek is adamant on stopping, citing the serious injuries such devices, such as a cherry bomb, can inflict on the careless.
  • In 1968, the popular Cherry Bomb performance muffler was created and manufactured. The muffler is known as a glass pack muffler consisting of a red outer shell, louvered inner tube and a fiberglass packing around the louvered core. The loud noise and red color is an obvious reference to the firework.
  • A cocktail or rather an alcoholic drink is named after this explosive device. A "Cherry Bomb" consists of taking a shot of vodka, splashing with grenadine and dropping the shot glass into a glass 1/2 filled with Red Bull and then you slam the contents quickly.
  • In an episode of That 70's Show, "The Trials of Michael Kelso", Fez throws a cherry bomb into a rival schools toilet while the gang is locked in the locker room.
  • The South Park episode "Summer Sucks" makes multiple references to cherry bombs and similar explosives.
  • In the video game Fallout 3, a Cherry Bomb is one of the many different junk items that can be used in the creation of weapons.

References

  1. ^ "Globe Salutes & Cherry Bombs of the 20th Century, by John Chunko (mailto:jc@3.14159265.net)". J. Chunko. 2006. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  2. ^ "A Professional's Guide to Pyrotechnics, by John Donner (ISBN 0-87364-929-X)". Paladin Press, Boulder, CO (303-443-7250). 1997. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Fireworks, Principles & Practice, 3rd Edition, by Ronald Lancaster, MBE (ISBN 0-8206-0354-6)". Chemical Publishing Co., Inc., NY, NY. 1998. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ "A Safe Practices Manual for the Manufacturing, Transportation, Storage & Use of Pyrotechnics, by U.S. Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare, Public Health Service, Center for Disease Control, National Inst. Of Occupational Safety and Health, Div. Of Safety Research (Request Government Publication: PB-297807)". National Technical Information Service, U.S. Dept. of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. 1977, 1991. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); |format= requires |url= (help); Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  5. ^ "Police and Fire Services Fireworks Enforcement and Safety Guide" (PDF). New Hampshire (USA) Office of the State Fire Marshal. 2005. Retrieved 2006-06-04. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Pottymouth-Bratmobile/dp/B000003729
  7. ^ http://www.amazon.com/Ga/dp/B000RGSOQO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1222740539&sr=8-1
  8. ^ http://www.pigazette.com/porkchops_comedy1.html
  9. ^ http://www.celsias.com/article/fear-keith-moon-planet/

Nickname for explosive redheads - Cherry Bomb

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