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