Red Devil Super Firecrackers Poster

Red Devil Super Firecrackers Poster

Approximately 22 1/2" x 33 1/2"

This is a Red Devil fireworks advertisement poster that I just picked up. I like the size and the image is crisp. The poster has some damage, but it's outside of the main area. I kinda like this piece with the ragged edges, makes it look scarier.

The gentleman I got it from, said he bought it in early 2000(to the best of his memory) from the fireworks stand. He asked the guy if he could buy it and did. Thats why it's a larger size.

The image on the poster is way cooler than others I have seen. One version i saw, has a big warning near the bottom...it looks almost like they inserted the warning and elongated the image. Another image had muted colors in the background.

AMERICAN PROMOTIONAL EVENTS INCORPORATED
Jeez...because thats so much easier to say than TNT Fireworks?

TNT FIREWORKS
Ok, there's a lot to understand here, but we have to start before the start. So get your favorite beverage(beer for me) and let's begin!

WWI & BAT POOP
With WWI looming, US Officials feared that the Germans could disrupt the supply of nitrates, used in the manufacturing of explosives, which were primarily imported in the form of bat or bird guano from Chile.

(Insert laugh here)

POOP ACT of 1916
The National Defense Act of 1916 mandated the construction of two nitrate plants, powered by an adjacent hydroelectric plant(a dam) in order to manufacture this poop.

POOP DAM BEGINS
In 1918, the Army Corps of Engineers began construction of Wilson Dam. The dam was named in honor of Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States from 1913 to 1921.

THE START BEFORE THE START
To supply the workers that had come to town to work on the dam, a newsstand opened on the corner of Tennessee St. and Court St., in Florence, AL. Three years after it opened. A young man named Clyde W. Anderson begins selling fireworks from this newsstand.

So let's recap: the U.S. needs POOP to make explosives for WWI. They mandate a POOP production plant be built requiring a dam to power it. Because there's an increase in workers to build a dam for the POOP plant, a newsstand is opened. A young man starts selling fireworks to the local workers for entertainment purposes.

(Insert laugh here)

FAST FORWARD
In 1932, Clyde Anderson expands his business and launches a successful advertising campaign to go with the fireworks.

DEJA VU
In 1946, a 12 year old named Charles Anderson Sr., opens his first business.....a fireworks stand, near a grocery store, on the edge of Florence. Sound familiar? Ten years later, after finishing college, Charles Anderson Sr officially joins his family's business.

FAST FORWARD TO June 1st, 1966
The “TNT” name is first used commercially.

***OK, hope you enjoyed my comedic history time-line? The history is pretty interesting and I will link the whole story in the comments.***