text: If you ever want to stump someone at a party, particularly one decorated with balloons, ask them where we get helium. And if someone says, "The Sun," they'd only be half-right. Although it's not widely advertised, most of our current supply of the gas is derived as a byproduct of natural gas production, especially from the helium-rich gas fields of the US mid-continent. Last Friday's broadcast of Science Friday on NPR included a short segment on the growing global shortage of helium, and some of its consequences. This isn't only important to balloon sellers and blimp operators. And while the current shortfall is related to temporary production problems in the US, Middle East and North Africa , it remains to be seen whether new international supplies can offset the natural depletion of our current sources.