Home

Friday, August 16, 2019

Find The Helium

The U.S. found helium on Earth before anyone else. The military saw so much potential in this lifting gas that the government tried to keep helium a secret. There were code words like, "send more pups from the same litter." That meant send more helium.

The government started a stockpile of it. Now, helium is essential for space exploration, MRI machines and making our cell phones.

But there is a helium shortage. There are entire birthday parties with droopy, helium-less balloons because party stores are out.

Today on the show, a series of government decisions and counter-decisions that helped create that shortage. Also, we go looking for new sources of helium.

PLANET MONEY

Episode 933: Find The Helium

No comments:

Post a Comment