1/4 sticks were supposed to be 1/4 stick of dynamite powder
An M-80, contains approximately 7-8 grams of flash powder, about 140 times the legal limit. M-100s contain about 20 grams of flash powder, about 400 times the legal limit. I think those were called “Ash Cans” the y were grey and the wick came out the side.
A full-dose aspirin typically contains 325 mg. of composition, therefore the pyrotechnic composition in a legal firecracker is actually less than one sixth (1/6) the size of a full dose aspirin.
An M-80 is not even close to being equivalent to a quarter stick of dynamite. This is just an urban legend.
I didn’t say anything about M-80’s, I said the homemade cherry bombs back in the 1950’s when I was a kid were equal to a 1/4 stick.
I have used dynamite extensively to blow stumps and know how powerful it is. You used to be able to buy dynamite in a hardware store.