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University of Kansas helium discovery designated historic chemical landmark: led to the development of helium-filled blimps used in WWII

The discovery of large quantities of helium -- the lighter-than-air gas named for the Sun, helios -- will be designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific society, on April 15 at Bailey Hall, University of Kansas (KU), in Lawrence, Kan. Helium-filled blimps developed to support Allied efforts in World War II captured the popular imagination. Today, helium is used in everything from the space shuttle's rocket boosters to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

WHO: Robert E. Hemenway
Chancellor, University of Kansas

Craig Patterson
American Institute of Architects

Daryle Busch
ACS President and KU Professor of Chemistry

James Bohning
ACS National Historic Chemical Landmarks Committee

Grover Everett
KU Professor Emeritus of Chemistry

WHAT: Designation of the discovery of large quantities of helium in natural gas as a National Historic Chemical Landmark

WHEN: 3 p.m., Saturday, April 15, 2000

WHERE: University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Bailey Hall

If you are interested in attending the event, please contact Ann Higgins or Christina Curtin at 202-872-4400 or via e-mail at a_higgins@acs.org.

A nonprofit organization with a membership of 161,000 chemists and chemical engineers, the American Chemical Society (http://www.acs.org) publishes scientific journals and databases, convenes major research conferences, and provides educational, science policy and career programs in chemistry. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

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