Balloon Sculptures and the History of the Balloon

Balloons have been a source of fun and enjoyment for many centuries, and in recent times they've also become a medium for creativity. Many people enjoy making balloon decorations for parties and special events and young children – and sometimes older children and even adults - enjoy playing games with balloons. Families and entertainers make animal shapes from balloons for fun, and balloon sculpture has become a recognized art form.

The earliest balloons were made out of animal bladders, intestines or stomachs and were used as toys and for entertainment. In 1824 Michael Faraday, a famous chemist and physicist, made the first rubber balloons and filled them with hydrogen gas. He made his balloons from caoutchouc, also known as India rubber or gum elastic, which was produced from the milky latex extracted from the rubber tree. This natural latex is a good material for making a balloon, since it solidifies on exposure to air, forming a stretchy, flexible and waterproof material. However, natural rubber tends to melt in hot weather and crack in cold weather. "Rubber' got its name because it rubbed out pencil marks.

1847, J.G. Ingram in London, England began the creation of balloons from vulcanized rubber, which is not affected by temperature changes. “Vulcanized rubber” is rubber whose structure has been changed by a chemical process involving sulfur.

Modern balloons are made from natural rubber (also known a natural latex) or from a synthetic, metal and nylon material and are usually filled with air, helium or nitrogen instead of hydrogen, which is flammable.

Balloon sculpture is also known as balloon modeling or balloon twisting. Creating animal models and other designs from balloons is a popular activity for birthday parties and celebrations. Many young children are entranced to see an animal made entirely out of balloons. One of my fondest childhood memories is of my accidental discovery that a room in my house was filled with balloon animals, which my father had prepared for Christmas Day. I'd forgotten that my parents had told me not to go into the room until after Christmas. Once I made the discovery I couldn't stop myself from secretly visiting the room periodically and admiring the menagerie, which seemed magical to me.

Balloon modeling is still a fun family activity and hobby, but it's also performed by entertainers and has now become an art form. Skilled artists prepare amazingly detailed, giant balloon sculptures for public displays. As they create their sculptures, the artists take into account how the sculptures will appear as the balloons gradually deflate. The changing appearance of a sculpture actually becomes part of the art. Balloon sculptures are also created as centerpieces and for special occasions like weddings, opening events, corporate events and trade shows.

Balloon modelers often prefer the properties of natural latex balloons to those of balloons made from artificial materials. Natural latex balloons have another major advantage compared to balloons made of other materials: natural latex is biodegradable. Caution is still needed with natural latex balloons, however, because the degradation process may take some time, and may be slower in some environments than others.

Balloon modeling has also become a performance art. There are balloon modeling groups that visit schools and perform in theaters, and balloon sculpture is being incorporated into clown and magic shows.

Balloons are great toys and craft materials, and they make fun and cheerful decorations for special events. However, balloon pieces can create serious problems if they are ingested by wildlife, and uninflated and partially inflated balloons can create a choking hazard for young children. Balloons need to be used and disposed of responsibly. Buy only natural latex balloons, never release balloons into the air and cut them up into small pieces before putting them into the garbage. In addition, don't attach ribbon or strings to balloons.