You're listening to Shortwave from NPR.

Maddie Sify here with Science Correspondent Jeff Brumfield.

And today we're celebrating.

This year the periodic table turns 150.

Here at Shortwave we are marking the occasion by talking about some of our favorite elements.

And quite conveniently I've brought along some birthday balloons.

But these balloons have a second purpose, Maddie.

What is that purpose, Jeff?

They also contain my favorite element, which is helium.

And helium is really interesting in ways you might not expect.

The story of helium involves attack blimps.

It involves space rockets.

Yeah, sure.

Even cutting edge medical imaging.

I'm less into that, but yeah.

And I've heard that the world might be running out of helium.

That's true, the world's helium is leaking out as we speak.

So today in the show we'll talk about what the helium shortage actually means.

And why a lot more is at stake than a few balloons.

All right, Jeff.

Here's what I know about helium.

It's like the second most abundant element in the universe.

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