Farewell fireworks? The rise and rise of July 4th drone displays

Plus: Apple makes drastic cuts to Vision Pro headset production Sponsored by US cities are turning to drone shows as a futuristic and eco-friendly alternative to traditional pyrotechnics for July 4 celebrations. Concerns over air quality and wildfires have prompted some cities to opt for choreographed displays of illuminated drones, creating impressive aerial formations. In today’s [Must Read]( we look at the rise of drone shows and their potential to revolutionize celebrations while mitigating environmental risks (although one city in Texas is reverting to fireworks in 2023 after using drones last year). But first, here’s [your video of the day]( on the life and legacy of Nikola Tesla. Good morning. I’m Tim, an Editor at IE. This is the Blueprint. Let’s get into it. Last Sunday, Blueprint subscribers learned about how low power photovoltaic cells could replace disposable batteries. Don't miss out — [subscribe to IE+]( today to receive exclusive interviews, features, and much more. VIDEO OF THE DAY [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( [Is Nikola Tesla Overrated?]( In today's video, we unravel the life and legacy of the enigmatic inventor, whose ideas continue to electrify our modern existence. MUST READ [Fourth of July celebrations]( [Fourth of July celebrations: Out with the fireworks, in with the drones]( US cities are ditching fireworks for drone shows on July 4 to tackle air quality and wildfire concerns. Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Boulder are opting for drone light shows, where coordinated drones create stunning aerial formations. While drones lack the booming sounds, their visual effects are more sophisticated. The switch comes with challenges, including higher costs and obtaining clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Salt Lake City is embracing drones to combat high fire danger, and other cities are following suit. However, Galveston, Texas, is reverting to fireworks after a drone experiment in 2022. The drone light show market is projected to reach $2.2 billion by 2031. [Read More]( CULTURE Apple makes drastic cuts to Vision Pro headset production Apple's highly-anticipated [Vision Pro mixed reality headset]( seems to have been hit by some early production problems, with just 400,000 of the $3,499 units launching next year instead of immediately after launch in June 2023. [Read More]( THE SPONSOR OF THE DAY [Masterworks]( [The surprising asset that (handily) beat 94% of the S&P 500!]( In just 604 days, a $10,000 investment in this opportunity would have secured an eye-popping $4,900 profit. That's a 27.3% net annualized return – beating 470 of S&P 500 stocks over the same time period. So what was it? A fractionalized painting from Masterworks, the blue-chip art investing platform. (They do say investing is an art, not a science…) While not every painting will see those gains, every one of Masterworks’ 12 exits has returned a profit to investors, totaling more than $30 million in payouts. New offerings can sell out fast, but Blueprint readers can open a free, no-obligation account [with this exclusive link](. [LEARN MORE]( INNOVATION World's first offshore green hydrogen pilot production facility now online The world's first offshore hydrogen production facility is now online in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Le Croisic, France. A follow-up project will generate four tonnes of green hydrogen a day. [Read More]( SCIENCE Quasar ‘clocks’ show time running five times slower in ancient universe According to Einstein's general theory of relativity, the ancient universe ran at a much slower rate than the present-day universe. Using quasar "clocks," scientists say they observed an early moment in the universe's evolution when it was running in extreme slow motion. 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[Fireworks]( [Drones]( [Neither]( [Drones with fireworks!]( YESTERDAY'S RESULTS We asked you about accidental scientific discoveries and 47 percent of you say that it's all about luck, with only 8 percent denying they happen. 47% Pure luck 33% Many are missed by accident 11% Divine intervention 8% They don’t, it’s just hype QUOTE OF THE DAY Apple knows they won’t make money on this in the first year. 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