Posted on February 25, 2010.
Balloon animals - a brief history Everybody loves balloons, and it is simply the most fun when they are transformed into animals. I have a little girl who wants a big party every year, and to be honest, I'm glad she does - I get to hire a twister! In fact, I have an ordinary ball that I phone every year to come and make wonderful animal creations for her and her friends. Balloons in general are a fun way to say happy birthday, good luck or something really, so I often send balloons by post surprise.
Being the curious woman that I am, I had to know where the idea came from balloon sculpting. To be honest, the story is a little cloudy with three or four different accounts that circulate. The most compelling is the following: Henry J. Maar, who was born with pleurisy, developed his lung capacity by blowing up balloons. In the 1930s, he became a magician. While preparing for a show one evening in 1938 or 1939, he was stripped of all his tricks, but as they say, "the show must go on" - so he improvised with balloons, twist this way and that to create animals. The people fell in love with her show and because they were just fascinated by her creations, the art of tornadoes is born! Maar continued to be a tornado for years after , appearing at parties, circuses, and even on television programs for children.
Credit for inventing the first balloon animals has also been given to Frank Zacone Youngstown, Ohio, which acts ball for the years 1940 and had been for some time. Herman Bonnert of Pennsylvania is also known as the inventor, and there were references to both a stranger to come up with the idea of turning balloons into shape after WW2, when skinny balloons were invented. Whatever it was really, I thank them for adding a touch "on the ball on average!
Balloons have always been a firm favorite with me. Some people like flowers, others like chocolate - with me it is definitely balloons. They always bring a smile on my face and how they float it makes me happy (yes, really)! I do balloons delivered to friends or relatives and I hope they feel happy when they receive them. Through my years of experience, I discovered that balloons Interflora are among the best; a great price and service delivery. I recommend them to anyone - it's just a shame they do not make the balloon animals!
