Even before Francis Scott Key penned the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner," Americans had a love affair with fireworks.

Key wrote as he watched the "rockets’ red glare" during the War of 1812. But it was John Adams, the fledgling nation’s first vice president and second president, who predicted that America’s Independence Day would be celebrated by future generations as a "great anniversary festival."

And Americans’ appetite for the flashy displays continues to grow, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association, which says the nation shot off more than 213.2 million pounds of pyrotechnics in 2008, up from 152.2 million pounds in 2000.

Some scientists believe our obsession with fire and explosions can be traced to early man, who depended on fire for cooking, heating and even for camaraderie.

According to widely accepted legend, fireworks were invented by a Chinese chef 2,000 years ago, when he accidentally mixed explosive ingredients together in a bamboo shoot.