Fountains resembles a volcano in shape and it's not far off with its effects too! This is because they contain one or two types of effect inside the cone-shaped casing. All fountains create a column of sparks from ground level some with crackling versions.

Starting slowly, these can build up to quite magnificent plumes and look particularly good used in a line across the display area.

A wheel has a number of rocket-like thrusters or gerbs (fountains) mounted around the circumference. Each one burns to provide both sparks, and thrust, spinning the wheel around. The fast motion of many wheels adds to the effect.

In the 4th century, St. Catherine of Alexandria was tortured on a wheel (they used all sorts of worrying implements in those days) giving rise to the traditional name "Catherine Wheel" for this well-known rotating device.