The idea for the polar wind originated with the desire to solve the paradox of the terrestrial helium budget. This paradox consists of the fact that helium in the Earth's atmosphere seems to be produced (via radioactive decay of uranium and thorium) faster than it is lost by escaping from the upper atmosphere.
The idea for polar wind arose from the quest to clarify the discrepancy between helium production and loss in the Earth's atmosphere. This discrepancy stems from the fact that helium appears to be generated (through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium) at a faster rate than it is lost by escaping into space.