Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2000 18:37:32 -0500 (EST)
From: Larry Moss <moss@balloonhq.com>
To: Balloon Decorator List <balloondeco@balloonhq.com>,
Subject: Re: Balloon Car

On Fri, 15 Dec 2000, The Balloon Babe wrote:

> I am so excited! I can barely type! I have the chance to
> build a mino-van out of balloons in two weeks! I would like
> some advice. I have a plan in mind, thanks to all the
> castles, etc. from the website this fall, but it's supposed
> to be there a week. Will I need to support it somehow?

That will depend, in part, on which method you decided to use for
construction.  You posted this to both lists, but I'm going to assume
you're planning on twisting this or using Link-O-Loons if you're even
considering not having a frame.  I usually count on my large twisted stuff
being able to last a week to a week and a half.

Was this the castle you were refering to?
   http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/baa2000/rochester-ny/reduced/index.php3

If I remember correctly, it stood for about 2 weeks, with kids playing in
and around it, before the librarians decided to dispose of it.  By that
point it was much smaller and pretty sad looking.  But a week is generally
no problem for something like that.

Here's another one that stood ina library for a couple of weeks.  (For a
sense of scale, it was about 5 feet tall.)
   http://www.balloonhq.com/photos/multpics/picview.php3?name=sm_alice.jpg

Since you've never done anything that large, I would suggest you get either
aluminum rod or PVC, or something similar and place it at key points in the
sculpture as a security measure.  The chances are you won't need it, but
you're counting on getting publicity, so the last thing you want is for
people to see it falling over.  Neither one of the examples I gave had
frames or supports, so if you feel confident in your design, you're
probably ok.  But do you want to take that chance on the first one?

The only weak points I can see are at the tires.  A mini van is a big box.
It should be stable on its own.  But now you're going to lift it off the
ground with only 4 balloons (I'm guessing 16 inch GEO donuts for wheels).
If I want to add more balloons for support, or hide a pole that's acting as
support, I find reasons to add balloons around those weak points.  I might
have grass around the bases of the wheels.  Or possibly have people
standing outside of the van, ready to get in it.  The posts can be hidden
inside the people and attach them to the van.

Just some random thoughts.

Larry Moss
BalloonHQ.com