From Parade to Progress: Helium Beyond the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®

Every Thanksgiving morning, millions of viewers tune in to see the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade^® balloons fly between Manhattan’s skyscrapers. Each giant balloon seems to travel effortlessly, bringing joy to families gathered around the TV. Behind the scenes of that holiday magic lies something equally extraordinary: helium.

“Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been part of the nation’s stories for generations,” said Kathleen Wright, Director of Production Operations at Macy’s Studios. “Along with our awe-inspiring floats and showstopping performances, our larger-than-life character balloons create lasting memories for millions. Our partnership with Messer is essential to creating the beloved Macy’s tradition.”

“Helium plays a vital role in bringing joy and traditions to life, including the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade,” mentioned Rob Capellman, Chief Commercial Officer, Messer Americas & President, Global Electronics. “The entire Messer team is proud to support Macy’s, and we’re excited to see the balloon soar the skies on Thanksgiving morning.”

As a leading helium gas supplier, Messer considers this critical element to be more than just the invisible force that helps lift the balloons in the Parade. It fuels some of the world’s most advanced technologies, from healthcare to high-tech manufacturing, space exploration, clean energy research and more.

In this blog post, we’ll highlight helium’s unsung contributions to science, medicine, and innovation. Let’s explore the versatility of this remarkable element and why it deserves recognition far beyond the Thanksgiving festivities.

Helium’s Role Beyond the Parade

Helium’s unique properties make it one of the most versatile elements on Earth. It’s lighter than air, non-flammable, and remains a liquid at extremely low temperatures. These characteristics make it invaluable across industries:

• In healthcare, liquid helium cools the powerful magnets at the heart of MRI machines, allowing doctors to see clear, lifesaving images of the human body. Helium can also be mixed with oxygen to help patients with severe respiratory conditions breathe more easily. This heliox mixture can reduce airway resistance and improve oxygen delivery.
• Ultra high purity helium in semiconductor manufacturing creates the controlled, high-purity environments needed to build the microchips that power our phones and vehicles, to name a couple.
• In space exploration, the helium used in rockets pressurizes fuel tanks.
• In telecommunications, helium is used in the production of fiber optic cables, which are the backbone of high-speed internet. It helps create the ultra-thin glass fibers that transmit data at lightning speeds.
• In research, helium plays a vital role in enabling experiments in fusion power and cryogenic technologies that could define the next generation of sustainable energy. Helium is also used in particle accelerators to maintain the extreme conditions needed to study the building blocks of the universe.

While helium captures the spotlight each Thanksgiving morning, its reach extends far beyond the parade route. It drives progress in ways most people never see.

Securing the Helium Supply: A Local and Global Strategy

As the global helium supply chain continues to evolve, Messer is committed to building a stable and sustainable future for this essential resource. Through strategic investments and long-term planning, Messer has developed a robust supply strategy that spans both domestic and international sources. This approach provides dependable access to high-quality helium for customers across industries, supporting innovation, healthcare, and manufacturing, and it also includes the cherished traditions like the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A Lift That Connects Celebration and Innovation

This Thanksgiving, as helium fills the balloons that fly above New York City’s streets, it also powers the progress shaping our world. From medical breakthroughs to space exploration, helium connects the joy we share during the holidays with the discoveries that define our future.

Whether you need a liquid helium dewar, delivery via helium tube trailer, cylinder or a helium ISO container, we’ve got you covered. Learn how Messer is securing the future of helium for industries, research, and celebrations here.