Here’s a cautionary tale from the 1952 Minneapolis Star. What the presentation lacks in detail (where were the boys from? what kind of firecracker was used? where did Max get his kuh-RAY-zee shirts?) it makes up for with compelling visuals.

These three lads have learned a lot in the last year. When the Fourth of July rolls around this time, they will celebrate quietly – no matches, no firecrackers. Last July 5 the boys, Stevie Miser (left), 10; Woolsey Madden, 12, and Max Hamilton (right), 10, found a fuseless firecracker and touched a match to the powder. All three suffered burns on their eyes and for a time their sight hung in the balance. But today their eyes were back to normal and they were happy to pose (above) as they did a year ago (below). – AP Wirephotos.

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