Bubble gum
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Bubblegum is a type of chewing gum especially designed for blowing bubbles. Bubblegum is available in many different colors and flavors. The most common flavor is the distinctive one also known as "bubblegum", which is a combination of wintergreen, peppermint, vanilla and cinnamon.[1] Bubblegum with this flavor is traditionally colored a light shade of pink.
Bubble gum tends to be more viscous than standard chewing gum: this facilitates bubble blowing. Some brands are designed to be non-sticky so they do not stick to one's face. Examples include Big League Chew, Bubble Yum, Bazooka, Dubble Bubble, and Bubblicious. In North America, bubblegum is often dispensed in gumball machines.
History
The first bubble gum was developed by Frank H. Fleer, the founder of the Fleer Company, in 1906. This gum was too sticky and broke too easily, so it was quickly abandoned.[1] Bubble gum was first introduced to the American public in 1911, but was not commercially successful.[2] The reason Bubble Gum is traditionally pink is that it was the original color used by Frank H. Fleer, as it was the only one in stock when he made it.
The Fleer company later developed an improved bubblegum, which they marketed under the name Dubble Bubble. The invention of Dubble Bubble is commonly attributed to Walter Diemer, an accountant at Fleer.[3] It has been claimed this story was fabricated in the 1960's by the Fleer company so the "inventor" of bubblegum could appear on the popular game show What's My Line?.[citation needed] The true inventor, Fleer president Gilbert Mustin, had passed away by that time and Fleer did not want to lose the publicity opportunity.[citation needed]
Up to the 1970s, bubble gum had a tendency to stick to one's face, if given the opportunity. But with the advent of super-soft, non-stick gum like Bubble Yum, Bubblicious, and Hubba Bubba, bubble blowing became a less dangerous sport. In the years that followed, the fear of gum sticking to one's face actually ceased to be a cultural phenomenon, despite having been a common humorous reference in entertainment, previously.
Indeed, with the introduction of Bubble Yum in 1976, bubble gum became one of the best-selling sweets in the US. Sold by Life Savers, it soon outpaced that company's eponymous flagship candy in annual sales.
See also
References
- ^ a b Yates, Melissa. "Walter E. Diemer". Pennsylvania People (in Simple English). Central Bucks School District.[unreliable source?]
- ^ November 7, 1911. The Wichita Daily Times (TX).
- ^ Smithsonian magazine, July 1990.[verification needed]