Sentimental Journey

[Bruce Appelbaum]

     Ah, the wonders of pre-pubescent pyrotechnics.  In my neighborhood, we 
     used to build Aurora plastic models all year, mostly the ones based on 
     the Universal monster movies.  Then blow them up with firecrackers or 
     cherry bombs on the 4th of July.  Back in those days it was easy to 
     get the raw materials to make gunpowder from the local hobby store -- 
     sold as refills for chemistry sets (Gilbert or Lionel).
     
     Speaking of chemistry sets, they used to come with some relatively 
     dilute hydrochloric acid and zinc.  Dissolve the Zn in HCl and you get 
     hydrogen.  Light a match and poof.
     
     Also very easy to mess up a kitchen by mixing baking soda and vinegar 
     in a not too tightly closed container and observing the reaction.  Got 
     a good wallop for that!
     
     I studied chemical engineering in college.  Without exception, every 
     one of my classmates got his (and I do mean "his") start by blowing 
     stuff up.  Many of them went to work for large chemical companies, 
     where the objective was to not blow the place up.