The Origins of Bubble Gum: A Sticky Confection with a Rich History
Ancient Greeks were among the first to chew gum, thousands of years ago, and Christopher Columbus even discovered Caribbean island natives chomping on sticky stuff. However, modern bubble gum was accidentally invented in 1928 by the Chewing Gum Company's accountant, Walter Diemer, who was an inventor at heart. While playing with some ingredients, Diemer came across a new formulation for gum that would allow him to blow bubbles. He dubbed his creation "Double Bubble" and gave it the signature pink color, which was simply because that's what they had in the lab.
Bubble Gum: The Public's Favorite Snack
Bubble gum was immediately snapped up by the public, but World War II put a stop to production as all raw materials were diverted to the war effort. After the war, bubble gum production hit full tilt and hasn't slowed down since. Today's bubble gum looks much the same as the original version, with only a few changes. One of the main differences is that it has become less sticky, which was quite different in its heyday. In those days, the gum was so sticky that it would often get stuck to shoes and clothing.
The Secret Ingredient: Rubber
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding bubble gum is what exactly makes it stick together. You might be surprised to learn that the majority of bubble gum is actually made from rubber - not unlike the kind of stuff you have on your tires on your car. The process of making bubble gum begins with a giant mixer where the gum base is combined with sugar. Workers then add the pink hue and flavoring, which can be quite vivid given the sheer quantity of bubble gum being produced.
Inside the Factory: How Bubble Gum is Made
Once the gum base has been mixed with sugar, it's time to add the pink hue and flavoring. The giant wad of sticky stuff is then stretched into miles and miles of bubble gum rope, which slithers down conveyor belts dusted with powdered sugar to prevent the snakes from sticking together. Finally, the bubble gum is cut into bite-sized pieces and wrapped up for distribution. It's a pretty simple process, but one that results in millions and millions of bubble gums being made every day - billions and billions every year.
The Enduring Popularity of Bubble Gum
So what is it about this chewy confection that keeps people cramming their cheeks with it year after year? For adults, it's often a little blast of childhood nostalgia. As kids, blowing bubbles was an activity that brought immense joy, and it's no different for many adults today who still enjoy the simple pleasure of chewing bubblegum and watching their creations float away. Perhaps there's something more to it, but one thing is certain - bubble gum has captured our hearts across generations.
The Uniqueness of Bubble Gum
One reason why bubble gum remains so popular might be because it's inherently fun. Unlike chocolate bars, which are delicious but can't produce the same effects, bubble gum offers a unique experience that's hard to replicate with other snacks. You simply can't blow bubbles with a chocolate bar - and that's part of its charm. While some people might argue that there's a more complex explanation for bubble gum's enduring popularity, one thing is clear: it's a snack that brings people joy, regardless of age or background.
The Evolution of Bubble Gum
Despite the simplicity of the process, modern bubble gum has undergone significant changes over the years. One notable difference is the reduction in stickiness, which was quite pronounced in its heyday. However, this change has also led to some interesting adaptations - such as new flavors and textures that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether it's classic pink or more adventurous flavors like blue raspberry or strawberry, bubble gum continues to evolve and adapt to changing consumer demands.
The Sticky Truth: What's in That Sticky Stuff?
Finally, let's get back to the question on everyone's mind: what exactly is that sticky stuff that makes bubble gum so... well, sticky? As we've established, rubber is a significant component of modern bubble gum. But there are other ingredients at play as well - including waxes, oils, and resins that help bind everything together. When you put it all together, the result is a chewy confection that's equal parts fun and fascinating. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just curious about the science behind bubble gum, one thing is certain: there's more to this sticky snack than meets the eye.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ensome can blow them bigger probably about this big some can blow them better but only a few can blow them double americans are the champions of bubblegum after all we invented it or did we various types of gum have been around almost as long as chewing ancient greeks gnawed on gum thousands of years ago and even christopher columbus discovered caribbean island natives chomping on the sticky stuff modern bubble gum was accidentally invented in 1928 by the chewing gum company flear one of their accountants a gentleman named walter diemer who was a bit of an inventor at heart while playing one time with some ingredients came across a new formulation for gum that would actually allow you to blow bubbles deemer dubbed his creation double bubble and gave it the signature pink color the only reason it was pink is because that's what they had in the lab bubble gum was immediately snapped up by the public until world war ii put a stop to production all of the raw materials to make bubble gum in those days was diverted to the war use people were screaming for it after the war bubble gum production hit full tilt and hasn't slowed down since today's bubble gum looks much the same as the original version with only a few changes it has gotten less sticky it's kind of a sticky mess back in those days so what exactly is in that sticky stuff let's unwrap one of the big mysteries of gum well you'd be surprised to know that the majority of bubble gum is in fact rubber not that much unlike the kind of stuff that you have on your tires on your car hit the brakes we've been chewing on car tires all these years well once the shock is worn off let's go inside the factory to see how they burn rubber into this sweet treat first the gum base is combined with sugar in a giant mixer then workers add the pink hue and flavoring can you imagine cramming this much bubble gum into your mouth the giant wad of sticky stuff is then stretched into miles and miles of bubble gum rope it slithers down conveyor belts dusted with powdered sugar to keep these snakes from sticking finally it's cut into bite-sized pieces and wrapped up pretty simple stuff not brain surgery we make millions and millions every day billions and billions every year what is it about this chewy confection that keeps people cramming their cheeks with it year after year for adults it's a little blast of childhood i think it was just such a part of growing up for kids it's just outright fun i mean i couldn't think of anything as a kid that i'd rather do than chew bubblegum blow bubbles the popularity of bubblegum stretches across generations maybe because it sticks to our inner child or maybe there's a more simple explanation i think bubble gum is just inherently fun and i don't care how good chocolate tastes you can't blow bubbles with a chocolate bar yousome can blow them bigger probably about this big some can blow them better but only a few can blow them double americans are the champions of bubblegum after all we invented it or did we various types of gum have been around almost as long as chewing ancient greeks gnawed on gum thousands of years ago and even christopher columbus discovered caribbean island natives chomping on the sticky stuff modern bubble gum was accidentally invented in 1928 by the chewing gum company flear one of their accountants a gentleman named walter diemer who was a bit of an inventor at heart while playing one time with some ingredients came across a new formulation for gum that would actually allow you to blow bubbles deemer dubbed his creation double bubble and gave it the signature pink color the only reason it was pink is because that's what they had in the lab bubble gum was immediately snapped up by the public until world war ii put a stop to production all of the raw materials to make bubble gum in those days was diverted to the war use people were screaming for it after the war bubble gum production hit full tilt and hasn't slowed down since today's bubble gum looks much the same as the original version with only a few changes it has gotten less sticky it's kind of a sticky mess back in those days so what exactly is in that sticky stuff let's unwrap one of the big mysteries of gum well you'd be surprised to know that the majority of bubble gum is in fact rubber not that much unlike the kind of stuff that you have on your tires on your car hit the brakes we've been chewing on car tires all these years well once the shock is worn off let's go inside the factory to see how they burn rubber into this sweet treat first the gum base is combined with sugar in a giant mixer then workers add the pink hue and flavoring can you imagine cramming this much bubble gum into your mouth the giant wad of sticky stuff is then stretched into miles and miles of bubble gum rope it slithers down conveyor belts dusted with powdered sugar to keep these snakes from sticking finally it's cut into bite-sized pieces and wrapped up pretty simple stuff not brain surgery we make millions and millions every day billions and billions every year what is it about this chewy confection that keeps people cramming their cheeks with it year after year for adults it's a little blast of childhood i think it was just such a part of growing up for kids it's just outright fun i mean i couldn't think of anything as a kid that i'd rather do than chew bubblegum blow bubbles the popularity of bubblegum stretches across generations maybe because it sticks to our inner child or maybe there's a more simple explanation i think bubble gum is just inherently fun and i don't care how good chocolate tastes you can't blow bubbles with a chocolate bar you\n"