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Keeping Love Afloat: The Story of Balloons

February is the month of romance. All around the country, smitten couples exchange candy, flowers and trinkets of love. And what says "I Love You" more than, well, a heart-shaped balloon that says "I Love You"? This month, InventHelp® explores the history of balloons, and how they came to be a part of year-round celebrations.

Balloons have been around for centuries, but you may not have wanted to give your sweetheart one of the early balloons - usually they were made from animal intestines and bladders. Both intestines and bladders expand, allowing them to be filled with air and twisted.

Luckily, Professor Michael Faraday at the Royal Institute in London made headway into balloon-making during his experiments with hydrogen. Faraday made his balloons by pressing two pieces of rubber together and sealing them, and the inside of the balloon was rubbed with flour to prevent the opposing sides from binding together.

Years later, balloon technology leapt ahead when Neil Tillotson began experimenting with recently invented latex, or rubber in its liquid form. Tillotson was intrigued by latex, but the higher-ups at his company, Hood Rubber, showed little interest. The Great Depression forced Hood Rubber to close its doors for a few weeks, and the Tillotson family worked tirelessly to develop a marketable product during that time. The end result: a balloon with ears and a painted cat's face.

The first novelty balloon proved to be a hit with children at a parade, and Tillotson left his job at Hood to head his new company. Today, the company is still in the rubber business, well known for making synthetic gloves used by surgeons and industrial workers.

Rubber balloons filled with helium will float only for a short time, because even perfect rubber loses the gas eventually. Beginning in the 1970s, longer-lasting foil balloons emerged. The material is metallized plastic film, which has a shiny, reflective surface and can be easily printed with colorful pictures and words. The foil balloons are considerably less permeable, and can remain suspended in mid-air for weeks.

Now a staple of parties, parades and professions of love, balloons are synonymous with celebration. This Valentine's Day, we at InventHelp® hope that you and your honey stayed afloat in love and life, with or without balloons!

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