Balloons are the kind of product that we're all so used to seeing that we don't stop to consider where they came from. Whenever there is a celebration people decorate and hand out colourful toy balloons, but who came up with the idea of a balloon in the first place? The answer might surprise you!

1. Promote with cost-effective balloons.
2. Plan the distribution for impact.
3. Personalisation improves customer experience.

The History of Balloons

We associate balloons with fun and colourful plastics these days, but did you know the first balloons were a lot less appealing - they were, in fact, made from animal intestines and bladders! Many ancient cultures, including the Aztecs, would inflate animal organs for sacrificial ceremonies. By the 1700's it was common for children to inflate pig's bladders or similar for a lark in England. How did we get the modern promotional balloon from that? It's an interesting story.

We love our balloons for play, but from the early 1800's scientists could see the technological advantages of using balloons in military exercises as well as for meteorological research. After using basic balloon devices for surveying, by the mid-to-late 1800's scientists were looking at further ways to advance balloon technology. Michael Faraday, for example, came up with one of the first rubber-based experimental balloons by placing flour between two sheets of rubber and then sealing the edges together. Unfortunately Faraday's choice of gas filling, hydrogen, kept leaking out of the design. It was rubber manufacturer Thomas Hancock a year later who developed a rubber solution kit that could be condensed using an enclosed syringe.

But these still weren't the toy balloons we are familiar with today! Many credit J G Ingram of London for the development of vulcanised toy balloons, which were far more stable than the experimental balloons of previous decades and could be manufactured more easily. Vulcanised rubber balloons were not impacted easily by temperature changes so were more suited to retail sale. By 1847 balloons based on these early prototypes were on sale to consumers in the United States!

While it took many more years before balloons were available in various colours, their popularity (and even custom shape options) were making waves early in the 1900's. For over 100 years now promotional balloons have been making waves the world over, and all it took to develop them was keen science and an eager retail market for something unique and innovative. If you've never had balloons for a function, you should definitely try them out today!

Balloons as Promotional Items

Promotional balloons can be an essential part of any business's marketing strategy. Here are some reasons why businesses use balloons as promotional items:

• Cost-Effective: Balloons are one of the most cost-effective promotional items available.
• Visibility: Balloons attract attention and can be used to increase brand visibility.
• Versatility: Balloons can be used in various contexts such as trade shows, corporate events, outdoor events, and product launches.
• Customisation: Balloons can be customised with the brand's name, logo, or message to suit the event.
• Goodwill: Balloons create a goodwill factor and offer a fun, lighthearted way to connect with customers.

How to Distribute

Distributing promotional balloons is an art that requires careful planning to achieve the desired impact. Here are some tips for successful balloon distribution:

• Choose the Right Event: Distribute balloons at well-attended events like carnivals, parades, grand openings, and charity functions that align with the brand's image.
• Take Safety Precautions: Use caution when distributing balloons around children to avoid choking hazards.
• Personalise the Experience: Personalise balloons with each customer's name or message when appropriate to create a more memorable experience.
• Use Balloons as a Giveaway: Use balloons as a giveaway to entice customers to drop by the brand's booth or to encourage them to sign up for an email list.
• Use Social Media to Increase Reach: Encourage customers to post pictures of themselves with the balloons on social media platforms using a designated hashtag for a chance to win a prize.

Takeaway

Balloons have come a long way since their early days when they were used for sacrificial ceremonies and children's games. From Michael Faraday's experimental rubber balloons to the vulcanised rubber balloons of J G Ingram, this article showed how balloons have evolved and become an essential part of celebrations and promotional events. Businesses can use balloons as a cost-effective way to market their brand, attract attention, and create goodwill with customers. By following the tips for successful balloon distribution, businesses can create a memorable experience that aligns with their brand's image and resonates with customers.

Details first spotted here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toy_balloon