What is the origin of the idiom "go down like a lead balloon" and when to use it?

The idiom “go down like a lead balloon” may be related to the idea of a heavy lead balloon that would fall quickly to the ground instead of rising or floating. The phrase has been in use in English since at least the mid-20th century, and it is often applied to situations where a person's attempt to be humorous or persuasive has failed miserably. In general, the phrase is used to indicate that something has been received very poorly, with little or no positive reaction or response.