Some gases are readily available on Earth and can be synthesized in the laboratory as well. But others, such as helium, are scarce and naturally occur in very small amounts. Helium is a colorless, odorless, tasteless noble gas with interesting properties that render it of great value.
Found in 1868 during a solar eclipse, astronomers saw a yellow spectral line in sunlight, which could not be explained using any known element on Earth. This new element was given the name Helium after the Greek word Helios, meaning Sun.
Helium is very light, only slightly heavier than hydrogen, and won’t readily react with other elements. Its most common application has been in balloons and airships since it’s lighter than air and non-combustible (unlike hydrogen). That’s why it was the preferred choice for airship filling in the past.
Helium is used in cryogenics (particularly cooling superconducting magnets such as the magnets used in MRI machines), deep-sea diving gas mixtures, and for scientific pursuits. It’s sometimes blended with oxygen for use in assisting individuals with breathing issues in medical applications.
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In the early days, helium was incredibly scarce and costly, about $2000 for a few cubic feet! Nowadays, however, it’s more accessible but still regarded as a limited resource.
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