The Fascinating History of Bubble Gum

Bubble gum was invented in 1928 by Walter Diemer, an accountant for the Fleer Chewing Gum Company. Diemer stumbled upon the unique recipe by accident while experimenting with new gum formulas.

The ability to blow bubbles comes from the gum's elasticity. Bubble gum is made with a synthetic rubber base, which stretches under pressure. This characteristic allows it to expand without bursting immediately.

Originally, bubble gum was gray. Diemer's successful batch was pink because it was the only dye he had on hand. Pink has since become the standard color for bubble gum.

With the rise of dental health awareness, sugar-free bubble gums were introduced in the 1960s. These gums use sweeteners like xylitol, which can actually help prevent tooth decay.

The Guinness World Record for the largest bubble gum bubble blown was 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) in diameter, achieved by Susan Montgomery Williams of California in 1994.

Bubble gum's popularity was also fueled by the inclusion of comic strips with the gum. Bazooka Joe comics, introduced in 1953, became a cultural phenomenon, providing entertainment with each chew.

Traditional bubble gum is not biodegradable due to its synthetic base. However, recent advancements have led to the creation of environmentally friendly versions that break down naturally.

In 1944, bubble gum was banned in Singapore due to its littering issues, making it one of the few countries to outlaw it.