Quite the amazing New Year's Eve show in China... (aerial drones)

[Pluvious]

I can't help but remembering that the Chinese invented gun powder, and their first use for it was fireworks lol

A drone show in Chongqing just broke the Guinness World Record with 11,787 synchronized drones, creating breathtaking 3D animations that looked closer to CGI than real life.

Link to tweet

History fun facts:

Discovery: Chinese Daoist alchemists stumbled upon the explosive mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal while experimenting with ingredients for immortality.

Early Use: For about a century, it was used for amusement, fireworks, and simple incendiaries, with early accounts mentioning burnt hands and houses.

Military Application: By the 9th century, it was adapted for warfare, appearing in weapons like flame-throwers and bombs.

Spread: The Mongol conquests in the 13th century helped disseminate gunpowder technology across Eurasia to the Middle East and Europe.

Significance: Gunpowder marked the first chemical explosive propellant in history and profoundly changed warfare globally.

[malaise]

1. Stunning

K & R for visibility

[Brother Buzz]

2. Boy howdy, I thought the Dead and Company has gone about as far as they could go

?si=4lmA9j1ThxQLfYpA

[ballardgirl]

3. Blocked by thick fog

Seattle had a drone show set up but it was cancelled due to a very thick fog. They did the regular fireworks but it was all lost in the fog, literally.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I was so impressed by Chongqing, itself. It makes all American cities look like they were built with Legos.

And I love NYC, SF, Seattle, and several other US cities.

[snot]

6. Re- your travel to Chongqing,

I'm curious – hope to visit China but haven't yet made it. I'd be interested to know what drew you to Chongquing, where else you went in China, whether you went with a tour or used a travel agent, etc.

I once tried to arrange a trip through a supposedly knowledgeable travel agent, but they had no interest in sending me anywhere but the most obvious, heavily-touristed attractions.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. I took a 13 day tour with an excellent Chinese tour company. It was a small group tour, and turns out there were 2 of us

https://www.chinatours.com/tour/13-days-grand-china-with-pandas/

Saw all the primo sites with an English speaking guide, traveled the country on high speed trains, and met a lovely woman from Australia.
The hardest part for me was getting a Chinese visa while being in Costa Rica.

[snot]

9. Sounds like a wonderful adventure!

Thanks for the tip!

[snot]

5. Holy f*ck.

That's amazing.

[malaise]

7. More here