In 1925, Congress created the National Helium Reserve to supply airships for military use. Over time, it grew into a massive stockpile. The reserve was vast. It was also, unfortunately, insolvent.
By 1995, it had racked up $1.4 billion in debt. So Congress passed the Helium Privatization Act, tasking the Department of the Interior with winding down the reserve by 2005. A sudden glut of helium hit the market. Prices crashed. Many of the companies that sourced the commodity were forced to close their doors.
Today, helium supply is getting even tighter. Last month, Iran attacked one of the largest helium facilities in the world.
But the world quietly depends on the gas. And that means helium and its industry could soar in the coming months…
This post originally appeared at DailyWealth.