A standard gas balloon—as opposed to a hot-air balloon—requires about 1,000 cubic meters, or 35,000 cubic feet, of helium. ( Here ’s what they look like.) That’s about 120 of the tall ...

Helium is also used for other things than balloons. “Helium in balloons is only about 5%-6% of helium usage in the world, the rest of it is medical, military, that sort of thing,” Hoffman said.

Aside from party balloons, helium has a wide range of important applications, from cooling superconducting magnets in MRI machines and particle accelerators to making breathing easier for newborn ...

But a lack of helium doesn't mean customers can't have balloons. Air-filled balloons like arched garland pieces and table centerpieces are still options. "It's definitely a disruption," Hoffman ...

Another issue for Krekelberg is the supply of latex for balloons. There are around 10 colors he hasn't been able to get in for months, and he said he will maybe only get half an order.