Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Invented in 1907 as an alternative to fireworks, Big Bang Cannons work by burning acetylene gas generated from the reaction of calcium carbide and water. Simple, reliable, and relatively safe, these unique toys have been in near-continuous production for nearly 120 years.

Carbide Lamp Video: youtube.com/watch?v=mt2Sfa4Ae3k&t=1s&pp=ygUMY2FyYmlkZSBsYW1w

0:00 Introduction
0:54 Origins of the Big Bang Cannon
1:29 Thomas Willson and the Discovery of Calcium Carbide
3:15 Advantages of Acetylene Gas
4:48 Development of the Big Bang Design
7:44 16" 10FC Junior Filed Model: Design Overview
11:00 Firing a Big Bang Cannon
12:30 Later History of the Conestoga Company
13:40 Overview of Big Bang Cannon Models
19:10 Outro

SOURCES:

prc68.com/I/PopGuns.html#Carbide_Cannon
bigbangcannons.com/Products/Cannons/Special-July-4th-6-Pack-for-200--
web.archive.org/web/20160714092856/http://www.davescooltoys.com/bigbangcannons
web.archive.org/web/20160504014700/http://toycannons.ray-vin.com/carbide/bbpistol.htm
web.archive.org/web/20160504031627/http://toycannons.ray-vin.com/carbide/ggun.htm
web.archive.org/web/20161012191925/http://www.toycannons.ray-vin.com/carbide/bigbang.htm
web.archive.org/web/20151129102429/http://www.davescooltoys.com/bigbangcannons/big bang cannon instructions.pdf
acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/calciumcarbideacetylene.html