Balloons Have Come a Long Way Throughout the Years

Updated: April 30, 2024

By Mike Villarreal

Rubber balloons were invented by Professor Michael Faraday in 1824 during his experiments with hydrogen at the Royal Institute in London. He discovered that caoutchouc, an elastic material obtained from the latex sap of trees, could be used to create bags that would expand and form balloons with considerable ascending power when filled with air and hydrogen.

Faraday made his balloons by cutting two circular rubber shapes and welding the edges together. To prevent the sides from sticking together, the inside of the balloon was rubbed with flour.

Thomas Hancock introduced toy balloons, which were sold in a do-it-yourself kit that included a bottle of rubber solution and a condensing syringe. The vulcanized toy balloon, which was not affected by temperature changes, was the next evolution of balloons, first made by J.G Ingram of London in 1847.

In 1889, Montgomery Ward was one of the first US retailers to offer toy balloons in their catalogs. These balloons were red rubber with trumpet ends and sold for four cents each or forty cents per dozen.
The Anderson Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, manufactured the first balloons in the US in 1907. In 1912, Henry Ross Gill of National Latex Rubber Products in Ashland, Ohio, produced the first cigar-shaped balloon.

In 1920, Helen Warny founded the Toy Balloon Company in New York and introduced luminous balloons for balloon showerettes, balloon-decked parade floats, and fashion window displays.

Today, balloons are produced in millions every day in several countries worldwide. They are now made of a plastic called silver mylar, which holds helium longer than rubber balloons. Balloons are used for decoration at parties, events, and gatherings and are available in various shapes, including animals.

If you are looking for some great balloon design work check out Divine Blossom Events. They are a Los Fresnos-based company that continues the rich tradition of using balloons for decoration at parties and events. They are located at 33478 Fm 803 Suite 8 Paza Linda. You can reach them at (956) 250-5967.
Photos from Devine Blossom Events Facebook page