Helium tanks, as we know them today, have their roots in the early 20th century when helium was first discovered and its properties began to be understood. Here are some key historical facts about how helium tanks were created:
-
Discovery of Helium (1868): Helium was first discovered in 1868 by French astronomer Pierre Janssen during a solar eclipse when he observed a yellow spectral line in the Sun’s light. It wasn't until later that helium was identified as a gas present on Earth.
-
Isolation of Helium on Earth (1895): In 1895, Scottish chemist Sir William Ramsay successfully isolated helium on Earth by extracting it from a mineral called cleveite. This marked the first time helium was obtained outside of astronomical observations.
-
Use of Helium in Balloons (Early 1900s): Helium's lighter-than-air properties made it a safer alternative to hydrogen for filling balloons and airships, especially after the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, which was caused by hydrogen's flammability.
-
Helium Tanks for Commercial Use (Mid-20th Century): With the increasing use of helium for balloons, scientific experiments, and medical applications, helium began to be stored and transported in pressurised tanks. The development of these tanks was driven by the need to safely store and transport helium in bulk.
-
Refinement and Widespread Use (1960s-Present): As demand for helium grew—due to its use in everything from cryogenics and medical imaging to entertainment—technological advancements in tank design, safety protocols, and manufacturing made helium tanks more widely available and efficient.
-
Helium Conservation Act of 1925: In the United States, the government passed the Helium Act in 1925, which authorised the construction of a federal helium reserve. This act was motivated by national security concerns, as helium was essential for airships and military applications. The U.S. government began storing helium in tanks at the Amarillo, Texas, facility, which later became part of the National Helium Reserve.
-
First Use of Helium Tanks in Medicine (1930s): By the 1930s, helium began to be used in medical applications, particularly in respiratory treatments for patients with respiratory issues. The development of portable helium tanks helped administer helium for these treatments, and it is still used today in specialised medical environments, such as MRI machines.
-
Cryogenics and Superconductivity (1950s): Helium's unique properties, such as its ability to reach extremely low temperatures when liquefied, made it an essential gas for the field of cryogenics. In the 1950s, the use of helium tanks to store liquid helium became a critical advancement for cooling superconducting magnets, a key technology in particle accelerators and MRI machines.
-
Helium Shortage (2006-2013): In the early 21st century, a global helium shortage occurred due to the depletion of the U.S. National Helium Reserve, as well as increasing demand for helium across multiple industries. This led to an increase in the price of helium and a global reevaluation of helium conservation and tank storage strategies.
-
Technological Improvements in Tank Design (1980s-Present): Over the years, advancements in materials science and engineering have led to significant improvements in the design and safety of helium tanks. Modern helium tanks are lighter, more durable, and capable of holding helium at higher pressures, making them safer for storage and transport, especially as the demand for helium continues to grow in fields like electronics, space exploration, and entertainment.
Today, helium tanks are essential for a variety of industries, from party supply stores to hospitals and laboratories, serving as the go-to method for storing and distributing this unique gas.