Actually, at that time, the only source for helium in the world was in
Texas.  So it wasn't a matter technology, just a matter that we wouldn't
sell the Germans any at that time.  A few other sources outside the US have
been developed over the years but just a few.  IIRC the estimates are that
the US has about half the world wide reserve of helium.

On 5/8/07, Aristotle Sagan <killer.jupiter@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Impossible to get in 1937. Helium was considered a war resource and
> Germany
> wasn't allowed to buy any, and didn't have the technology to isolate it by
> itself.
>
>