| A balloon is basically a flexible, stretchable bag | | | | Other likely origins include the Latin |
| crafted from different materials such as latex, | | | | âballoneâ meaning ball or perhaps |
| rubber, chloroprene or nylon fabric. They are then | | | | from the old German word âballaâ |
| filled with helium, nitrous oxide, hydrogen or plain air. | | | | which also pertains to a ball. Other related etymology |
| Balloons are generally used for various decoration | | | | includes the Middle English term |
| purposes for celebrations and parties. Just like their | | | | âbalâ, which was in turn traces its |
| very nature, balloons have undergone a colourful | | | | roots from the Old English âbeallâ, |
| evolution. Whenever the word balloon is mentioned, | | | | both referring to a ball. The earliest balloons were |
| the very first things that come to mind are those | | | | crafted out of dried animal bladders or intestines and |
| cute and colourful things that decorate virtually every | | | | were frequently used by buffoons for entertainment. |
| party venue. However, while balloons are normally | | | | It is believed that the first balloon was made by |
| decorative in nature, they are also used in other | | | | Bartolomeu de Gusmao and it made its public debut |
| highly specialized fields such as the military, | | | | during an exhibition in Lisbon. However, the first |
| meteorology, medicine and even as a form of | | | | rubber balloon called âcaoutchoucsâ |
| recreational transport. | | | | was invented by famed scientist Michael Faraday in |
| The origin of the word âballoonâ | | | | 1824 and he filled it with hydrogen gas. Nearly two |
| can be traced to the French word | | | | decades later, J.G Ingram made the first latex |
| âballonâ which refers to a huge ball. | | | | balloons in London. |