Pyrotechnic Expert
Pyrotechnic expert Mike Tockstein has years of experience in the fireworks industry. Since June of 2000, he has been involved with professional fireworks through Pyro Spectaculars, one of the most respected fireworks display companies in the world. Mike has worked hundreds of professional fireworks displays, spanning various productions such as the NFL, 4th of July, New Year’s, celebrity weddings, graduations, MLB, theme parks, television, NASCAR, special events, and more.
His advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering along with his passion for fireworks, give him insight to all the workings of the world of pyrotechnics.
Television
In addition to working behind the scenes on numerous television commercials and being the on-camera expert for shows like “99 Most Bizarre” on TLC, Mike has played roles in numerous shows over the years, here are just a few examples:
MYTHBUSTERS
Mike worked on two different episodes of Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters, “Ming-Dynasty Astronaut,” in 2004 and “Fireworks Man,” in 2010. He provided technical guidance and designed / built the electrical firing system used to simultaneously ignite 47 high-power rocket motors.
AUCTION HUNTERS
In season 3 episode 7, “Drumming up Cash,” Mike was the on-camera fireworks expert going over some pyrotechnics-related items that the Spike TV show’s hosts, Ton Jones and Allen Haff, found in a storage unit.
VERITASIUM
Mike co-hosted The Science of Fireworks with world-famous science YouTuber, Veritasium, in 2023.
THE EXPLOSION SHOW
Mike worked behind the scenes on season 1 episode 3 of the Science Channel’s “The Explosion Show” in 2019
In the Media
Mike has given many interviews for Fireworks-related articles and news broadcasts, including a full feature of him in Business Insider. See below for a few examples.
Mike, along with his fireworks pictures and videos, has been featured in many articles, textbooks, school reports, plays, and television productions, including his two-page spread in the Guinness World Records book “Science & Stuff” in 2018. He also worked as the talent on a science and engineering-based TV pilot for the History Channel, in addition to consulting on various television programs and major motion pictures. See Mike’s IMDb profile.
Whether it’s regarding fireworks or the science behind them, Mike can present that information on camera or on a behind-the-scenes consultant basis. For interviews or consultations, simply fill out the form below.