Big-Bang Cannon

The Big-Bang Cannon is a unique early 20th century American toy that is still manufactured to this day. Numerous consumer fireworks injuries convinced a physics professor at Lehigh University (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) to patent a "Gas Gun" in 1907. In 1912, aware of the value of this invention as a safe alternative to consumer fireworks on the Fourth of July and at special events, the business of manufacturing Big-Bang Cannons started.
The original name of the company was the Gas Cannon Company. In 1916, the name was changed to the Toy Cannon Works. In 1924, the current company name...The Conestoga Company, Inc. went into effect. An assistant professor from the same physics department at Lehigh was the company founder and owner until 1955.

How it Works

Calcium Carbide (mixture 160, 16x80) mixes with water in the chamber of the cannon, producing acetylene gas. A few seconds after the gas forms, a spark is ignited which results in a loud bang or boom. A key safety feature is that there is no recoil or kick when the cannon is fired. In fact, glass cannons were used as a company demo in order to show the chemical reaction taking place as well as the inherent safe quality of the product. Bangsite is the name (see "Trademarks" below) given to the calcium carbide mixture.

Patents

• "Gas Gun".......patent no. 874,952...patented December 31, 1907
• "Gas Cannon"...patent no. 1,352,715...patented September 14, 1920
• "Toy Firearm"....patent no. 1,624,086...patented April 12, 1927
• "Gas Gun".......patent no. 2,754,607...patented July 17, 1956

Trademarks

• "BIG-BANG"...registered July 31, 1917...reg. no. 117,799
• "BANGSITE"...registered June 10, 1952...reg. no. 559,919
• "CONESTOGA COLLECTORS' SERIES"...registered November 26, 2002...reg. no. 2,653,490

Big-Bang Cannon Trivia

• During the 1920s non-cannon models (planes, tanks, boats, pistols) were manufactured
• In 1929, several issues of The Bangster were published to serve as a product selling guide for company reps
• In 1936, a toy G-Gun was manufactured in an attempt to capitalize on the G Men craze of that era
• Other unique items from the 1930s included a Giant Roller Coaster, Ro-To-Top, Spinning Top and Field Glasses
• West Coast of the United States fireworks stands sold Big-Bang Cannons during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s
• Many antique models are still up for bid on eBay
• Used as a teaching tool in Chemistry classrooms from high school to the university level
• The June 1976 issue of Mechanix Illustrated featured instructions on how to make a Big-Bang Cannon with 4" PVC pipe as part of a celebration of the United States Bicentennial
• The Conestoga Company currently manufactures Big-Bang Cannons (19 models) in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Lehigh County

See also

• Cannon
• Carbide Cannon
• Calcium Carbide
• Acetylene
• Lehigh University trivia

References

Big-Bang Cannons: A Unique American Toy by Raymond V. Brandes, Ray-Vin Publishing Co. ISBN 0-9636127-6-X (Hard Cover)
Blast from the Past: Our History: An American Legend
The Bangster...Volume 1, No. 4, June 1929, published by The Conestoga Corporation
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Toy World Magazine February 1929

External links

Official website of Conestoga Company Big-Bang Cannons

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