The following article first appeared in the May/June 1997 issue of the Magic Menu. The Magic Menu is a bi-monthly magazine for restaurant entertainers. For subscription info, contact jsisti@ibm.net.
I have referred in the past to the use of various kinds of balloons while performing, but I haven't yet discussed the various other types of equipment that you might consider adding to your prop bag. Since I'm asked often about what I use, I'll focus this column on pumps.
A couple issues back I pointed out that inflating balloons by mouth isn't, in my opinion, worth the headache. I mean that both literally and figuratively. There's nothing wrong with using a pump. It can be worked into an act every bit as easily as the balloon itself, and it hurts a lot less than learning to inflate a balloon by mouth. Sure, there are those that suggest you're cheating by using a pump. With a witty line ready, that isn't a problem at all. And if your pump looks unique enough, just as many people will tell you how much they like it.
First, there's the inexpensive approach. Pumps that are easy to come by, and likely in your own home, are those used on bicycle tires and basketballs. Not all of them are easy to use with balloons, but many are. All that's required is that the nozzle of the balloon fits on nozzle of the pump where the outgoing air stream is. If you have one around, there's no great investment needed to experiment with it's use during a show. All varieties, including handheld, floor standing, and foot pumps have their place. Using a basketball style pump may be a good option for a sports theme. You can twist up all sorts of sports balls, helmets, pads, etc.
If you're going to do a lot of twisting, invest in a good pump designed specifically for balloons. Pumps made especially for balloons exist in all sorts of styles, sizes, and price ranges. On the low end, there are handheld pumps that look very similar to basketball pumps. The big difference is in the nozzle. They are exactly the right size and shape for a balloon to fit over. Using this kind of pump is a two-handed operation. Some of them have a two way valve that allows air to flow into the balloon on both the in and out strokes of the pump. Examples of these, from least expensive to most expensive are, the Qualatex Air Inflator, the Europump, and the Pump T. The Air Inflator is available from most of the same people that sell Qualatex balloons for as little as $5. I don't know who makes the Europump, but I do know that it and the Pump T are available from T. Myers Magic. The pump T, though I haven't used it, sounds fairly indestructible. At $65 or so, it should be. Everyone that I know that uses either of the others carries a spare with them. Back when I used this style of pump, I found that having a strap attaching it to a belt allowed me to drop it after the balloon was inflated, freeing my hands to twist. I've seen other folks with a holster the right size for the pump.
For those that want a smaller pump to fit in a pocket or fanny pack, the options are somewhat limited. There are a few palm sized pumps around. Again, T. Myers sells one. A larger and stronger palm-sized pump that I've used is sold by Brian Dube. I find both incredibly difficult to use for any length of time. It takes many squeezes of the small rubber bulb to get enough air in a balloon to make anything other than a poodle. One use for this kind of pump is to get the balloon started to make mouth inflation a bit easier.
Large floor standing pumps can be great for stationary work at a festival or on a street corner. Included in this category are the PumpO and Pump 1 from T. Myers (no one compares to T. in the variety of pumps available), and the Pump 260 from the Amuzemetist. These pumps are all capable of inflating a 260 with a single stroke. They aren't great for particularly short balloon workers, and I find them very clumsy in a walk-around situation. Others use them everywhere, including the restaurant. If you are going to walk around with this kind of pump, consider the Pump 260. It has a handle. If you already have one of T's, put a strap on it. My PumpO lasted a few years before it started giving me trouble. I'm leaning toward the Pump 260 if I get another of these, but it's a close call between that and the Pump 1.
In the last few years, several battery powered electric pumps have shown up on the market that meet most of the requirements of the walk-around entertainer. Notably, they are small, they come in their own pouches, some of which look pretty good, and they're reasonably fast. Where do they fall short? They are battery powered. A charge doesn't last forever. The ones with larger capacity batteries are heavier. The weight isn't in the air compressor (they all use the same variety). The weight is in the battery. Some have replaceable batteries, allowing for one to be charging while another is being used. I can usually get through a night in the restaurant on a single charge of the battery in my Balloon Buoy, but I make sure to always have a second with me. In fact, I learned the hard way that just in case I've forgotten to charge the battery at home, it's best to plug in the second battery the moment I arrive at a gig. There's usually an inconspicuous outlet somewhere that I can use. The other problem is that air compressors are loud. In a family restaurant or outdoors, I haven't found this to be a problem. In a quieter restaurant, I wouldn't use one of these. The Balloon Buoy is available from Ed Rohr. Cheezo (Eric Persson) also has a number of battery powered pumps. I've used a couple of them briefly. I think I prefer the Balloon Buoy, but I haven't used the others enough to get used to them.
In my usual fashion, I've gone on a bit long. I just want to mention one more unique pump that doesn't quite fit in any of the above categories. It's the Pogo, by, you guessed it, T. Myers. It's a floor standing pump, but smaller than the others I mentioned, so it's lighter and easier to carry. It has a spring-like action, so only the down stroke requires any effort from the user.
This is far from a comprehensive list of balloon pumps available. I've only mentioned those that I own, have used, or in some way have made an impression on me. Let me hear from you if you have any comments on any pumps or other equipment that you have found essential in your balloon twisting. Send comments to moss@fooledya.com or PO Box 23523, Rochester, NY 14692.