The History of Water Balloons

Water balloon battles are a favorite summer activity, but do you know the history behind these simple objects? In 1950, an English inventor named Edgar Ellington attempted to create a waterproof sock using latex and cotton. When he tested it by filling it with water, he noticed that some of the water started gushing out. Frustrated, he threw the water-filled sock onto the table, and it burst. This gave him the inspiration for a new idea. Shortly after, he debuted what he termed “water grenades.” Ellington’s water grenades were the first water balloons to hit the market, but certainly not the last. Today, there are many water balloon brands to choose from and playing with them remains a beloved summer pastime for many people.