The Art and Science of Creating Fireworks Shows with Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss

2026-06-18

Download

The fireworks explode in an instant of blinding light and thunderous sound. But designing a fireworks show takes months of preparation and years of training. From the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show to Burning Man, Pyrotechnician Steven Yoss has been behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest fireworks shows. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we talk the art of designing fireworks shows, the science of making fireworks and what happens when things go wrong. Then, in the Pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Act...

The fireworks explode in an instant of blinding light and thunderous sound. But designing a fireworks show takes months of preparation and years of training.

From the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show to Burning Man, Pyrotechnician Steven Yoss has been behind the scenes at some of the world’s biggest fireworks shows. In this episode of Profoundly Pointless we talk the art of designing fireworks shows, the science of making fireworks and what happens when things go wrong.

Then, in the Pointless part of the show, we countdown the Top 5 Actors and Actresses You Know but Can’t Name.

00:00 Introducing Pyrotechnician Steve Yoss

0:59 Designing Fireworks Shows

04:32 How Fireworks are Made

07:41 Fireworks Dangers

09:37 The Best and Worst Fireworks

11:51 Fireworks Colors

13:51 Fireworks Injuries

15:51 The Best Fireworks Shows

19:49 The Future of Fireworks Shows

20:51 Pointless

46:51 Top 5 Actors You Know But Can’t Name