Balloons for Friday

When I was in elementary school in the late 60s, my class took walking field trips to the library down town, and we would sometimes sit down in tiny chairs to watch films, the old clickety kind with the projector. One of those films was The Red Balloon. As many times as I watched that movie, I don't remember a thing about it except for the kid and the big balloon.

The balloon was invented by a Portuguese priest in 1709 in an attempt to demonstrate his idea of an airship to the King. He had great plans for his invention, but he died before it was ever fully developed. The early balloons were made of animal bladders but were made from rubber later in the 1800s when Michael Faraday invented them to use in experiments with hydrogen. It seems neither man intended to make toys when they went to work, but I'm glad something amusing was at least a byproduct of their bigger projects.

One of my favorite things to do with balloons is make animals. When my kids were young enough to appreciate such an activity, we used to make things like poodles and mice and hats. I was pretty good with the mice, and if I had any balloons handy, I'd make one for you. As it is, you'll have to enjoy this picture of someone else's handy work.

No matter how good I might get at making animal shapes, my new favorite thing to do with balloons is to bury the cat. Daughter No. 2 attached one to poor Mike here by rubbing it on his back and forming static cling, and since he didn't seem to mind having what looked a bit like a tumor stuck to his spine, she added another and then another and then another until he was nearly buried. He was a good sport through it all by indulging us in our silly game. He can thank Michael Faraday for his trouble and be glad he hasn't been covered with animal bladders.