Hugo Eckener did design the LZ-129 Hindenberg to fly with helium, after the UK’s R101 crashed (he also used duralumin salvaged from the wreckage to build the LZ-129). He changed his mind and decided hydrogen wasn’t dangerous enough to justify the much higher cost of helium. He never approached the US for helium for that airship. Her successor, the LZ-130 Graf Zepplin II, was designed to use hydrogen from the start. Then the LZ-129 crashed (on camera) and he redesigned the LZ-130 to use helium (reducing it’s passenger capacity). He would’ve gotten his helium if Hitler hadn’t annexed Austria. As a result he was forced to use hygrogen for the LZ-130 after all and it never entered revenue service (just propoganda and military recognizance flights).
BTW, filling balloons (both party and weather) and speaking in squeaky voices is only 7% of US helium usage, so an increased price for helium may have more ramifications than you might think. Most of it is used in various cryogenic applications. MRI scanners, for instance. MRIs cost enough already.
But that also implies that most of it isnt being wasted for trivial purposes either.
That was my point.