Inflation

Inflation is the act of pumping or otherwise introducing pressurized air, gas or fluid into an enclosed space in order to expand and increase its volume and size. The act of growing larger as a result of being inflated is expansion. A sexual fetish or paraphilia for these subjects is inflatophilia.

Inflation and furry
Furry Inflatophiles enjoy items such as traditional latex balloons, inflatable furniture, and inflatables made for the beach and pool, the latter ranging from air floats to pool toy animals. Although sexual interest is common, some inflatophiles merely find air-filled structures pleasurable to view, interact with, and appealing to the touch.

The term is also less commonly used to refer to those with interests related to Inflation, expansion or weight gain of others, and of things which may not be made of rubber, vinyl or other traditional inflatable materials. This usage overlaps with macrophilia, fatfurs, and to a lesser extent, breast expansion, hypertrophilia, and various forms of body part growth. Depending on the community involved this may or may not be the case.

It is not uncommon to find inflatophiles in the furry fandom who are also Balloonies and have inflatable-themed characters, some even being modeled after pool toys or inflatable objects with valves and internal structures resembling such things. Rubberfurs may also be naturally attracted to inflatophilia.

Popping and Divisions in the Communities
Some in the Inflatophile community enjoy acts known as Popping, the deliberate destruction of an inflatable object through puncturing, over-inflation, compression or damaging the exterior in some other manner. Due to the nature of inflatophilia, this may be a sexual act to them or simply an act of amusement, as some of those who pop inflatables enjoy the sound or visual of the inflatable rupturing.

Some others in the community ("Non-poppers"), however; dislike the sound or visual of the popping, or find it disturbing due to their attachments to the inflatable objects. Some "Poppers" even have such attachments, using readily available inflatables such as cheap pool toys or party balloons for popping and having other, rarer or more expensive toys they keep pristine. Some may even enjoy watching the act of popping, but not participating.

Due to the difference of ideals, this can be a controversial topic in the inflatophile realm and most communities separate the two via tagging and generally the two try to make each other feel welcome. This sometimes leads to trolling, mocking or arguments between the more fervent members of the community, but such behavior is pretty much universally frowned upon by the community Admins.

The actual division of poppers to non-poppers can vary wildly from group to group and generally it tends to be quite even, with some people even being neutral in their preferences.

Inflation in furry
Popular elements of role-play, Inflation and Expansion often featured in situations with people playing as or with inflated characters, or with regard to the act of inflation upon normal (organic) characters, or inorganic characters constructed specifically for this purpose (called Balloonies).

Differences and Nuances
Though the two are often used interchangably, there are actually subtle differences between the ideas of Inflation and Expansion.

Inflation is most often attributed to being filled with a substance or gas to expand certain parts of the body. This is usually accomplished with the introduction of air, helium or other gasses, water, saline or various kinds of liquid, large amounts of semen through sexual intercourse with many males (or a single massively overproductive male) or various other kinds of gunk and goo and is usually done through the mouth, rectum or vagina (if female), though other methods are present (such as inflating through the urethra or using syringes to inflate untypical parts of the body.)

Popular targets of the inflation are the breasts, genitals, thighs, rear, stomach and womb. It's also popular to inflate the entire body to give it a round shape like a balloon.

Expansion is generally attributed in a general growth in size overall, and while Inflation does indeed cause Expansion, all forms of Expansion aren't limited to Inflation. In this way it is also connected to the macrophilia community, through the method of pumping lard or saturated fats into the body in order to gain large amounts of cellulite or general weight, or the ingestion of various foodstuffs in order to gain weight. This also considered a form of Expansion and as such, sometimes 'inflation' is used to refer to the rapid weight-gaining process itself. Even the apparent swollen state resulting from impregnation, voring, and unbirthing can be referred to as 'inflation'.

As such, the two terms are generally switched freely.

Forms of Inflation
As stated before, there are a number of subvarieties of inflation and expansion that exist, depending on the nature of the story or role-play, which have a number of different purposes and connotations. A person may enjoy many different forms of inflation or just be attracted to one type, finding all others, or even just a specific kind undesirable. For this purpose, most furry and non-furry inflation sites have tags to describe specifically what is being inflated and why.

Bust Inflation
Inflation of the breasts is a rather common form of inflation in which the bust of a female character is increased in a dramatic and often humorous manner. Even male characters aren't immune from this, and may grow feminine breasts if inflated for this specific purpose. The reasons are usually for comedic effect; either to taunt a smaller breasted character, to increase their own size to compete with someone else or to be the biggest, or to tease a shy character by dramatically increasing their bust size, among other things. Such events are common with the introduction of fluid, or via magic, though air or another gas is sometimes used to comedic effect (having the newly large busted character walking around with helium supported super-breasts, or floating away because of them). This can also be due to particularly productive characters backing up with milk, tying into lactation as well.

Penile / Ball / "Package" inflation
As a counterpart to Bust Inflation, a slightly lesser seen but equally existent parallel is the inflation of the penis and testicles of any character that happens to own such. Seeing as this particular anatomy tends to be a bit more sexual in nature, it still holds many of the same connotations as Bust Inflation. It can be used to prove to another male they aren't the biggest on the block, used as competition or to embarrass a usually shy male. This can be limited to just the balls, just the penis, or the whole "package." This can also be tied into hypertrophilia in that some characters may be seen as so productive that their testes actually inflate with and store reproductive material against the usual rules of anatomy. Gasses, liquids, and magic are commonly used, sometimes used for the comedic effect of having a character owning a set of these genital anatomy bits suddenly stuck anchored with heavy fluids or having a super package supported by the helium within.

Belly/Womb Inflation
Inflation of the belly, be it the stomach or the womb, is also a common form of inflation. There are a number of methods and all have similar results, though the specific reaction of the character depends on the intention of the writer or story-teller. In the most common scenario womb or stomach can be filled with air, fluid or semen in order to simulate pregnancy or even to induce it (sometimes even in men). In the case of an actual impregnation, the pregnancy can gestate for a normal amount of time in a long-term expansion story, though it is far more common for this to be sped up and condensed into weeks, days, hours or even minutes. Unbirthing and vore stories can often have similar effects, leaving the character with a full-term sized womb or stomach, literally having another character present inside them. Even simply ingesting large amounts can lead to this, though that often branches out into 'weight-gain' rather than simple belly expansion.

Belly expansions are the most likely ones to cause a rupture, especially in impregnation stories where a hostile creature, such as an alien or demon, is present inside the character's womb or stomach and desires to exit as soon as it's large enough to thoroughly expand and traumatize the victim. Even air or fluid belly expansion sometimes end in such a manner, if the character's form is over-stressed past it's limits.

Rear/Thigh Inflation
Inflation of the rump and thighs is less common by itself, but often coupled together with another form of inflation. In an inflation story, it may be coupled with expansion of the breasts to give a character a voluptuous figure, able to turn a waif into a bombshell with a simple addition of material or magic. This can also be coupled with belly inflation to produce a motherly look with wider hips and bigger thighs to accentuate the swollen breasts and belly of the character. Ass or thigh inflation by itself can be used to comedic effect, or to create so-called 'fat bottomed girls' that are popular among some.

Other Partial Inflation
There are some less popular types of inflation that some indulge in. Though these are uncommon overall, they have their own commonality when other interests link into the inflation itself. This can include head inflation, hand inflation, foot inflation, or tail inflation. These are usually done to comedic effect, though these can also tie into preferences and the like. May or may not contain scent.

Full Body Inflation
Unlike the other forms, rather than inflating a specific part of the body, the entire form is inflated. This can give an overall increase in size, such as in a macrophilia setting, but more often this is used to round out the character as well, turning them into a large round balloon. This is often in a bid to become as big as possible, possibly reaching some extreme sizes in the process (anywhere from blimp size to excessive sizes, such as the size of planets or other astral bodies.) Some furs may even tie strings to the inflated characters and lead them around like party balloons or may even go as far as popping them for amusement (either the fur's or their own).

Rupturing and deflation
Rupturing occurs as the result of damage to an inflated character, causing them to leak, deflate or pop in a way that may be comical or alarming, depending on the situation. There are two general forms of rupture and in either case of a rupture the results can be anywhere from simple deflation to a massive explosion, and anywhere in between, even up to the complete obliteration of the character, but the two do differ. In some cases, rupturing may result in the inflated character to be propelled by the escaping air and flies away uncontrollably, in a similar manner as an untied balloon being released. It is also possible for a character to be deflated through the mouth without any rupture or damage, usually for comical effect.

Fart deflation
This scenario is mostly uncommon, but have becoming a staple element of inflation within the furry fandom and is related to the "fart fetish". This kind of deflation occurs if a character is subject to full-body or partial-body inflation(I.E. usually either rear inflation or belly inflation) and after some time, the character forces the air out from his or her rear like an actual flatulence or bloating, either as a simple deflation or the force of the air escaping his or her rear would propel them in the direction he or she may be pointing. Usually, the character might get propelled in several directions in rapid succession. This scenario may or may not contain scent. This scenario may alternatively appeal to those who prefer a more logical scene that may or may not make more sense, without the use of valves, knots, plugs, etcetera. Usually, the character would feel instant relief from releasing all the pent up gas.

Valve/knot opening
Many non-poppers enjoy deflating in a harmless manner by simply opening the knot or valve of a Balloonie or other inflatable-style creatures, letting the air escape and simply deflate slowly. In some cases, the Balloonie might be ridden or compressed by another character as he/she deflates.

In addition, many Inflatophiles enjoy the deflation noises (sometimes as a sexual attraction), ranging from simple air hissing to the high-pitched squeal made from pinching open the knot of an inflated balloon. A few may even perceive the noise as being analogical to moaning during sexual intercourse.

In the other hand, a few Inflatophiles dislikes deflation in general, considering it as a symbol of sadness or depression. Some others may dislike deflations partly due to their distaste in fart fetishism and the like.

Popping
Popping refers to the act of puncturing or damaging an inflatable object with great force; either in real life — such as a pool toy — or in art, fiction, and role-play. The term is used within the Balloonie subset of furry fandom, as well as within communities devoted to inflatophilia, furry or otherwise.

Other forms of critical expansion, or Bursting, may also be referred to as Popping on various sites, though the two can carry very different connotations depending on who is asked, with one being an external rupture while the other being due to internal pressure or stress failure. The two also differ in the fact that Popping is generally very clean, while Bursting varies depending on the composition of the character (whether filled with air, fluid, or normal composition) and can be clean, comical or quite unpleasantly messy. Such concerns may carry over into the Rubberfur subset of furridom, depending on how integrated a particular character is.

Not all popping lead to an explosion. Occassionally, the inflated character might just suddenly deflate as the air quickly rush out, sometimes causing him/her to be propelled and flies away uncontrollably. In this sense, popping generally refers only to puncturing or otherwise damaging an inflatable object, not the resulting explosion. Notable example of this is the inflation gags in cartoons, where a character inflates and another character pops him/her with a pin, which only ends in the character deflating.

Individual Stances on Popping
Popping can be a subject of controversy, carrying a positive, negative, mischievous, or sexual connotation depending on the interests of a particular fan.

Positive Slant on Popping
For some Balloonies or "BalloonFurs", popping represents the ultimate and exciting expression of love or camaraderie in a relationship between inflatable characters. Popping in character role-play is usually temporary, with some mechanism to restore the damaged character. Depending on the individual, such role-play may be acceptable in "public", or only done in privacy or secrecy. Some invite casual play with others; others reserve the activity for trusted friends, and typically dislike non-consensual popping play as much as those who dislike popping entirely.

Some outside the Balloonie community equate popping with a non-organic character's equivalent of "orgasm", but a number of Balloonies and Poppers feel popping is a unique concept which has more than merely an erotic tone, but rather an act of emotional release (catharsis).

Negative Slant on Popping
Some Balloonies dislike or are disturbed by popping, which they see as a form of damage equating to injuring a living creature, or even so far as assaulting or killing the said creature. Some non-balloonies have been known to play out acts of popping another person's character to annoy them or make them feel unwelcome, especially if they know the player dislikes popping. The number of furries in the inflation community who are poppers and non-poppers is about equal.

This can cause friction on some sites, as the two views can clash and these issues may degenerate into either side demanding special treatment due to their interests. However most communities and their members tolerate both views and common practice is to label stories, roleplays or image threads with non-popping or popping tags, preventing most problems.

Existentialism in Popping
The comfort level of a player with popping generally deals with that person's view on the final fate of the popped character or fur.

For some it is a looping cycle, with simple reformation of the character or a rebirth of the character at the end of the event. There are those who feel that popping is the ultimate, looping "end" of the life cycle of any inflatable fur or character. For these, it is seen as a quite normal way to "go" with a "Bang!"

Other times such an event might be the end of the story, resulting in the death and scrapping of said character.

Popping refers to the act of puncturing or damaging an inflated object; either with a sharp object - such as a pin - or by using a great force, such as sitting on, stepping on or impacting it, or even (rarely) shooting it with a weapon. This is accomplished in real life — such as a pool toy — or in art, fiction, and role-play with an inflated character or creature. The term is used within the Balloonie subset of furry fandom, as well as within communities devoted to inflatophilia, furry or otherwise.

Bursting refers to the act of inflating a character to the point of that character's physical limitations with the intent of causing catastrophic failure and resulting in the rupture of the character's skin or exterior. Bursting differs from Popping in the fact that other than the introduction of material, no external stimulus is applied to rupture the character. Rather the method relies entirely on internal pressure to do so.

Popping vs Bursting
Bursting may also be referred to as Popping on various sites, though the two can carry very different connotations depending on who is asked, with one being an external rupture while the other being due to internal pressure or stress failure. In general Popping is usually very clean and often results in a complete pop, while Bursting varies depending on the composition of the character. The results may be clean or messy depending on if the character is an inorganic or pseudo-organic 'hollow' (such as a Balloonie) or if they are filled with some sort of liquid or internal fluid or gel, or if they're a standard organic character with all the organs and internal structure of a normal creature. This may also depend on the seriousness of the setting and if the writer or artist of the event desires it to be a comical, sexual, or horrific experience. Such concerns may carry over into the Rubberfur subset of furridom, depending on how integrated a particular character is.

Individual Stances on Rupturing
Rupture, particularly Popping, can be a subject of controversy, carrying a positive, negative, mischievous, or sexual connotation depending on the interests of a particular fan.

Positive Slant on Popping
For some Balloonies or "BalloonFurs", popping represents the ultimate and exciting expression of love or camaraderie in a relationship between inflatable characters. Popping in character role-play is usually temporary, with some mechanism to restore a popped or damaged character. Depending on the individual, such role-play may be acceptable in "public", or only done in privacy or secrecy. Some invite casual play with others; others reserve the activity for trusted friends, and typically dislike non-consensual popping play as much as those who dislike popping entirely.

Some outside the Balloonie community equate popping with a non-organic character's equivalent of "orgasm", but a number of Balloonies and Poppers feel popping is a unique concept which has more than merely an erotic tone, but rather an act of emotional release (catharsis).

Negative Slant on Popping
Some Balloonies dislike or are disturbed by popping, which they see as a form of damage equating to physically injuring or even killing a living creature. Some non-balloonies have been known to play out acts of popping another person's character to annoy them or make them feel unwelcome, especially if they know the player dislikes popping. The number of furries in the inflation community who are poppers and non-poppers is about equal.

This can cause friction on some sites, as the two views can clash and these issues may degenerate into either side demanding special treatment due to their interests. However most communities and their members tolerate both views and common practice is to label stories, roleplays or image threads with non-popping or popping tags, preventing most problems.

Occurances of a Burst
With Bursting, the event is most of the times self induced or caused by another role-player(or character in the story)'s inaction to prevent it or continued involvement in expanding the character. The event is often placed at the final extreme of an expansion story, and much like popping, is a matter of taste and preference. For some characters it's an intimate experience or a height of sexual pleasure, or even a simple game. The character who have been burst might even be restored intact with little or no explaination, or it may be a special ability of said character.

In other stories or events, however, it can result in a serious injury, or even the complete (and messy) demise of the character. As such, the general comfort level varies within the community.

Existentialism in Rupture
The comfort level of a player with a rupture generally deals with that person's view on the final fate of the popped or burst character or fur.

For some it is a looping cycle, with simple reformation of the character or a rebirth of the character at the end of the event. There are those who feel that popping is the ultimate, looping "end" of the life cycle of any inflatable fur or character. For these, it is seen as a quite normal way to "go" with a "Bang!".

Other times such an event might be the end of the story, resulting in the death and scrapping of said character. Most of the times, it's this that makes the most difference when determining the comfort level of a player with a rupture scene.

Bursting
Bursting refers to the act of inflating a character to the point of that character's physical limitations; be it with water, a viscous fluid, or a gas, with the intent of causing catastrophic failure and resulting in the rupture of the character's skin or exterior.

Bursting and furry
Such acts often take place in the Balloonie corner of the fandom, involving fantasy and magic, but may also extend into the more science-fiction based areas such as those involving impregnation, unbirthing, vore, and various other forms of inflation.

Bursting vs popping
Bursting differs from Popping in the fact that other than the introduction of material, no external stimulus is applied to rupture the character. Rather the method relies entirely on internal pressure to do so. The results can be anywhere from 'springing a leak' to a massive explosion, and anywhere in between, even up to the complete obliteration of the character.

After burst
The results may be clean or messy depending on if the character is an inorganic or pseudo-organic 'hollow' (such as a Balloonie) or if they are filled with some sort of liquid or internal fluid or gel, or if they're a standard organic character with all the organs and internal structure of a normal creature.

This may also depend on the seriousness of the setting and if the writer or artist of the event desires it to be a comical, sexual, or horrific experience.

Ocurrence/timeline of burst
The event is often placed at the final extreme of an expansion story, and much like popping, is a matter of taste and preference. For some characters it's an intimate experience or a height of sexual pleasure, or even a simple game. The character who have been burst might even be restored intact with little or no explaination, or it may be a special ability of said character.

In other stories or events, however, it can result in a serious injury, or even the complete (and messy) demise of the character. As such, the general comfort level varies within the community.

Trivia

 * Many 1980s/1990s-era animal-themed cartoons and animated shorts contains inflation scenes. Usually the character is inflated via a pump, a bellow or an air tank, before eventually deflating and flies away. Inflation was a common cartoon gag during that era.