[dangerdoc]

I was going to bump for later reading but noted that it uses helium as the working fluid.

I read a few years ago that there was going to be a helium shortage in a few years. One of the major sources is in Kansas and it is predicted to run dry in a few years.

[thackney]

Where Has All the Helium Gone?
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/info/newsroom/2007/january/NR0701_2.html

[Wonder Warthog]

"I read a few years ago that there was going to be a helium shortage in a few years. One of the major sources is in Kansas and it is predicted to run dry in a few years."

Not true. There may be a shortage of CHEAP helium, but there's plenty of helium to be had. The US has been lucky compared to the rest of the world in that it does(did?) have a high-helium natural deposit. The rest of the world gets helium as a by-product of the manufacture of liquid oxygen and liquid nitrogen. The atmosphere isn't going to run out of helium anytime soon.

[Osage Orange]

Helium was first discovered near Dexter, KS.....

Not far from where I live......