A Brief History of Helium

1868: Helium is first identified 93 million miles away from Earth, emitted by our sun, and named after Helios, the Greek sun god.

1895: Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay discovers helium on Earth by burning uranium and capturing the gas released.

1903: A significant helium reserve is found in Kansas, which remains a primary source of helium today.

1914–1919: The U.S. explores the use of helium for zeppelins after experiencing issues with hydrogen-filled ones, but the war concludes before implementation.

1925: Recognizing helium's strategic importance, the U.S. establishes the National Helium Reserve in Amarillo, Texas.

1927: Congress enacts the Helium Control Act, leading to a prohibition on helium exports, inadvertently contributing to the Hindenburg disaster as German companies revert to hydrogen.

1960: Helium becomes crucial during the space race, utilized for cooling rocket engines. Five new helium refineries are established.

1996: Congress decides to liquidate helium reserves by 2013.

2013: Realizing the folly of the previous decision, Congress reverses course, but not before selling off two-thirds of the reserves at unreasonably low prices.

Now you might be thinking, “Why should I care about helium?”

Introducing Helium: Your Lightweight Companion!

Meet helium! She’s a charming, lightweight element and the second most abundant in the universe. But don't get too comfortable—she constitutes only 0.0005% of Earth's atmospheric gases!

When not escaping into space, helium is found in the radioactive decay of elements like uranium and thorium. However, extracting it takes thousands of years, making it a rare find.

What makes helium so essential? Unlike most elements, helium doesn't condense into liquid until it reaches 4.2 degrees Kelvin, just above the coldest temperatures in space. This unique property allows it to cool everything from spacecraft to superconductors.

But that's just scratching the surface!

Helium's Role in Various Industries

In medicine, helium is vital for MRI machines and laser eye surgeries. The military employs it for rocket engine tests, surveillance aircraft, and missile guidance systems. Search and rescue operations rely on helium for thermographic cameras and heat-vision systems.

Additionally, heavy industries utilize helium to detect gas leaks and in manufacturing air conditioners, tires, refrigerators, and fire extinguishers. Companies like NASA and SpaceX use helium to prevent hot gases from mixing with super-cold fuels during launches. Nuclear reactors also depend on helium as a non-radioactive coolant.

From cryogenics to quantum computing, helium plays an irreplaceable role in many complex processes.

The Challenges We Face

Unfortunately, the global helium market is precariously balanced. Most helium is sourced from the U.S., though Qatar has begun producing large quantities. Other countries like Russia, Australia, Canada, Algeria, and Poland contribute minimally.

Essentially, the world’s helium supply is heavily reliant on the U.S. and Qatar. Any disruption in these regions could lead to severe shortages, as experienced in 2012 when preparations to sell strategic reserves resulted in widespread helium shortages affecting various industries.

Moreover, helium is a non-renewable resource—what we have is all we get. Estimates suggest we may exhaust our helium supply between 2040 and 2050.

Is There Hope?

There is a glimmer of optimism. Some scientists believe there could be more helium reserves on Earth than previously estimated. A new reserve has been identified in the Rocky Mountains, and there are hints that helium might also lie beneath freshwater sources.

So, should you stop filling your balloons with helium? Not just yet! Most people associate helium with those delightful, buoyant balloons.

Just remember to capture those moments on video with your kids enjoying their helium-induced giggles, even as you ponder the future of this precious element. We might be among the last generations to revel in such simple pleasures.