Remember, Remember the 5th of November – Photos of Pain’s Fireworks Factory in 1928

History suggests that the barrels of gunpowder used in the infamous plot to blow up the Parliament of James I in 1605, were “manufactured by a gunpowder manufacturer within earshot of the Bells of Bow”. At that time the only such business was one John Pain, the founder of the modern day Pain's Fireworks company....

Pain's fireworks factory 1928

‘Pains’ firework factory, 1928

PAIN’S Fireworks Co. has roots in the East End of London dating back to the 16th Century:

History suggests that the barrels of gunpowder used in the infamous plot to blow up the Parliament of James I in 1605, were “manufactured by a gunpowder manufacturer within earshot of the Bells of Bow”. At that time the only such business was one John Pain, the founder of the modern day Pain’s Fireworks company. As Guy Fawkes once said: “A desperate disease requires a dangerous remedy.”

Guy Fawkes was a man of desperate character. In his person he was tall and athletic, his countenance was manly, and the determined expression of his features was not a little heightened by a profusion of brown hair, and an auburn-colored beard. He was descended from a respectable family in Yorkshire, and having soon squandered the property he inherited at the decease of his father, his restless spirit associated itself with the discontented and factious of his age.

Pains Fireworks 1907

Pains Ad c.1910

 

 

 

In 1928, the factory looked like this:

Pain's fireworks factory 1928

Two of the female workers at James Pain & Sons Firework factory display some of the elaborate fireworks produced by this London company, 1928

ames Pain & Sons Firework factory 'Pains' firework factory Ref #: PA.4494472 Date: 01/02/1928

ames Pain & Sons Firework factory
‘Pains’ firework factory
Ref #: PA.4494472
Date: 01/02/1928

Pain's fireworks factory

Pain's fireworks factory

James Pain & Sons Firework factory
Firework production at ‘Pains’ firework factory, 1928

Pain’s Fireworks, Eastfields, Mitcham. c.1970. The company moved to near Salisbury in 1966

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