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Anvil launching is a practice that was once common in the Southern United States. It involves using gunpowder to fire an anvil into the air. Often two anvils are used: one as a base (placed upside down), and one as the projectile (placed right-side up, atop the base), although the former can be dispensed with. Because many anvils have concave bases, a space exists between the projectile anvil and the base. The space is filled with black powder (not modern gunpowders, which have much higher energy densities) and a fuse is made to project out. The fuse is lit, and the resulting deflagration (the rapid combustion of the powder rather than explosion) sends the projectile anvil hundreds of feet into the air.

Anvil launching was once used as a substitute for fireworks during celebrations. Although its practice has lessened in recent years, enthusiasts still participate in anvil launching events.

[edit] Sources

• Anvils in America by Richard Postman