| The world is a brighter, lighter, happier | | | | by helium due to its safer properties. |
| place thanks to balloons. A bunch of these | | | | |
| bobbing decorations are guaranteed to be seen | | | | Synonymous with fun, festivities and |
| at everything from Bar Mitzvahs to birthday | | | | merriment, the helium balloon soon became a |
| celebrations and have become the essential | | | | must have item on parade floats and |
| party item since the Aztecs first created | | | | eye-catching window displays throughout the |
| them from cat's bowels. What else can be used | | | | world. When Helen Warny released 50,000 |
| to brighten up the dullest of spaces than a | | | | helium-filled balloons decorated with her |
| collection of perky, party friendly balloons! | | | | name in New York, she unwittingly started a |
| They're relatively cheap, they come in all | | | | balloon printing trend which would be copied |
| different shapes, sizes and colours, and if | | | | across the globe. Helium balloons have |
| you give one to a young child you're bound to | | | | remained popular accessories ever since, |
| get a gappy grin in return. | | | | providing a burst of colourful decoration and |
| | | | resulting in high voiced shenanigans on many |
| Balloons weren't always designed for fun and | | | | a drunken night. You know who you are! |
| amusement in the early days though. The | | | | |
| Aztecs' earliest balloon prototypes were | | | | Today's market is brimming with printed |
| carefully scoured, turned inside out, sewn | | | | balloons designed to make a special occasion |
| with an airtight seal made from vegetable | | | | extra special. Getting married? Get the bride |
| thread and used as sacrifices to the gods. | | | | and groom's name etched in gold. Just had a |
| This ingenious invention was also seen in a | | | | baby? A cute little teddy bear balloon will |
| series of cave engravings found inside the | | | | look great in the nursery. Balloon printing |
| ancient pyramid of Mikerinos. It would seem | | | | has become extremely fashionable in the last |
| that balloons have been bouncing around for | | | | few years thanks to advanced balloon printing |
| ages. | | | | techniques and sturdier materials. With such |
| | | | charming designs to choose from, catchy logos |
| The popularity of balloons continued to | | | | and increased longevity, the market for |
| develop over the centuries until just prior | | | | printing balloons is positively booming. Go |
| to the first world war when scientists | | | | to a party, fair, circus, sale, trade show or |
| discovered that these streamlined spectacles | | | | any other event that offers a relief from the |
| could be used to calculate ascension formulas | | | | monotonous grind of work and routine and |
| for flying planes. Around this time hydrogen | | | | you'll bump into a balloon. |
| was the popular gas of choice due to its | | | | |
| unrivalled lifting power, however in the | | | | So next time you bump into everyone's |
| 1920s, when the balloon began to be used for | | | | favourite lightweight companion, remember |
| advertising purposes, hydrogen was replaced | | | | they won't let you down until they pop! |