Who We Are
Pyro Innovations was founded by Mike Tockstein in 2002 and is dedicated to providing a means of entering into the field of professional fireworks, expert training for pyrotechnicians, and pyrotechnic education on the science behind the bang.
Our extensive online Fireworks Training program includes step-by-step video explanations you won’t find anywhere else on the methods used to set up a professional fireworks display.
Growing the Pyro Industry
Pyro Innovations formally partnered with Pyro Spectaculars in 2013 to provide Pyro Spectaculars exclusive access to the personnel and training resources of Pyro Innovations.
Pyro Innovations provides cutting-edge pyro training and experience in the setup and firing of professional fireworks displays. We thrive at training, recruiting, educating, and giving the public insight into what it’s like to put on a professional fireworks display.
Pyro Innovations adheres to the highest standards possible and is constantly training new fireworks crew.
Where We Are Headed
Our fireworks educational content is now growing through the addition of our “How Fireworks Work” series on YouTube. This series demystifies fireworks effects from the large aerial display shells to the novelty snappers you find at your local grocery store by taking you through the science behind them.
Mike has been interviewed and featured in numerous fireworks-related television, internet, and newspaper articles. Our pictures and videos have appeared in television productions, plays, school textbooks, and have been used to support our troops overseas on military bases and ships.
We continue to pursue our goal of providing fireworks education to curious minds in the general public and professional training to our pyrotechnicians.
Mike Tockstein, Founder of Pyro Innovations
After having worked for fireworks display company Pyro Spectaculars for a couple of years, Mike built Pyro Innovations to post pictures and videos of his fireworks displays to aid in recruiting new people for his fireworks crew. Due to the website’s explosive growth, Mike spent many hours filming, editing, and further website building to publish the online Fireworks Training section in 2007. The fireworks training pages were a huge success in helping to streamline training so many people. A few fun facts about Mike:
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Mike earned his B.S.. in Electrical Engineering with a minor in applied mathematics from CSULB and his M.S.. in Electrical Engineering from USC
PUBLICATIONS
Mike is published in many peer-reviewed scientific journals
FIREWORKS SHOWS
Mike has performed close to 300 professional fireworks displays and holds a pyrotechnics license for both fireworks and rocketry
LIFEGUARDING
In a former life, Mike worked as a part-time ocean lifeguard for 15 years, earning 3 Distinguished Service Awards, 6 Notice of Commendations, 1 Special Commendation, and 1 Heroic Act Award