Helium is the second most common element in the universe but on earth is relatively rare. It occurs in natural gas deposits and is gathered as a by-product of that industry. It used to be known as the filling of airships but today it has many uses including in the manufacture of semi-conductors and as an essential in MRI scanners. It is a finite product on earth, found in a few concentrated pockets. When it is released it is one of the few elements that escapes from the earth's atmosphere. One day it will all be gone and our descendants will be incredulous at some of the trivial uses to which it was put in the twentieth and twenty first centuries. Giving people funny, squeaky voices and filling party balloons with it will be viewed as scandalous.
photo © T. Boughen Camera: Nikon D5300
