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Helium Balloon History

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A colorful helium balloon rising into the sky can bring a smile to the faces of young and old alike. There is something magically wonderful about balloons floating in the air, independent of gravity. And there is certainly a reason helium-filled balloons are a staple of birthday parties around the world - their presence automatically evokes feelings of fun, laughter and celebration.

Balloons have been around for centuries. The earliest balloons were made from animal stomachs, bladders, intestines, and entrails. They were filled with water and used as toys. The Aztecs used to take carefully cleaned animal bowels, turn them inside out, and sew them with a special thread. They could then be blown up and twisted into interesting shapes, which would be offered to the gods in elaborate sacrifices.

Modern day Latex balloons were developed by Neil Tillotson during the Great Depression. He was working with liquid latex in an attempt to create inner tubes. He accidentally discovered the material could be used to create balloons, and he subsequently produced 2,000 cat-shaped balloons and sold them at a local parade. He went on to found one of the largest Latex balloon manufacturers in the United States.

The silver metallic-looking balloons referred to as mylar balloons were originally developed for the New York City ballet in the late 1970s. They are made from sandwiched sheets of plastic (polyethelene) and nylon, then coated with aluminum (causing them to be referred to as foil balloons). They are much more expensive to manufacture than Latex balloons.

Helium was first used to inflate balloons sometime after World War I. Over time, helium filled balloons came to be a staple at parties, parades, and other celebrations.

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