Snow cannot be made to appear instantly. Only artificial snow, including fake snow powder, can do that. Those who have been involved in preparing an event supplying special effects for a movie or play understand the need to get it just right. They are aware of how important it is to make sure the fake snow is as close to the real thing as possible.
Early History of Fake Snow Powder and Snowflakes
The late 19th century was a time period when technology was making life easier. It was the age for advances in industry and entertainment. At the same time, such things as fake snow powder and snowflakes were being used to make indoor winter displays appear as lifelike as possible. From window displays to movie sets, individuals were coming up with ways to imitate real snow.
Fake snow powder as well as snowflakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries came in different types. Among the most common materials used to mimic snow were:
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Cotton batting
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Jeweler’s cotton
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Popcorn
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Cornflakes – bleached and mixed with other items
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Epsom salts
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Salt
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Ammonia
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Mica
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Paper
In the late 1920s, another material appeared to act as a substitute for snow. This new fake snow powder or snowflakes was made of mica and asbestos and was actually promoted by firefighters. The alternative was cotton and cotton batting, which is flammable and asbestos, specifically white asbestos or chrysotile, was not.
Asbestos and Other Fake Snow Powder and Snowflakes
In the film industry, the asbestos-based snow became popular. During the 1920s and 1930s asbestos-based fake snow came was marketed to a public and an industry who wanted to experience the look of real snow. The Wizard of Oz (1936), featured one scene in which Dorothy fell asleep while asbestos snow floated down and all over her.
Another movie in the 1940s eschewed asbestos in favor of a fake snow powder that was extremely realistic. With the war reducing the availability of asbestos, and other types such as cornflakes interfering with live takes, the head of his special effects department, Russel Sherman, came up with a form of snow that could be sprayed. It impressed the critics and viewers alike with its realism.
Fake Snow Powder Today
A variety of fake snow products have come on the market since the conclusion of World War II. There are the store-bought inexpensive spray cans and expensive realistic types of readily available fake snow powder and flakes. Fortunately, none of them contain toxic substances. They are safe to everyone who works with them – whether on the set of a movie or in the creation of a miniature snow-covered village in a window display. From instant fake snow powder created by family-friendly snow machines, technology has made it easier to create a winter wonderland no matter what the weather is outside.
If you find yourself wondering about Fake Snow Powder, and need a quality product, consult the experts at Business Name. They can offer you advice on what type of snow will work best to make your event a special one. To discover more about our snow products visit us online at website domain.
