December 28, 1869, 140 years ago in the United States received the first patent for the manufacture of chewing gum.
Chewing gum is a special culinary product that consists of an inedible elastic base and various flavoring and aromatic additives. In the process of use, chewing gum practically does not decrease in volume, but all the fillers gradually dissolve, after which the base becomes tasteless and is usually thrown away.
The very first chewing gum dates back to the Stone Age, VII-II millennium BC. It was found during excavations in Northern Europe and was a piece of prehistoric resin with imprints of human teeth.
To cleanse the mouth and freshen the breath, the ancient Greeks chewed the resin of the mastic tree, which grew in abundance in Greece and Turkey. They called such a prototype of modern chewing gum by the name of the tree - “mastic”.
It is also known that the Maya Indians about a thousand years ago, to brush their teeth and freshen their breath, used the frozen sap of the sapodilla tree. They called this chewy mixture “chicle”. Much later, it was sapodilla that served as the basis for the industrial production of chewing gum.
On the South American continent, the Indians, contemporaries of the Maya, chewed the resin of coniferous trees. White settlers adopted this habit from them and created their own version of chewing gum - from the resin of coniferous trees and beeswax. And thanks to Columbus, such a habit, like smoking, was brought to Europe, but then it did not take root there. This happened much later.
In 1848, shopkeeper John Curtis (John B. Curtis) and his brother began to be the first in the world to produce chewing gum - they simply packed pieces of resin into pieces of paper. They called their product Pure Maine Pine Resin. Later, they began to add paraffin flavors to their products. New chewing gums with paraffin sometimes had rather unusual names: "White Mountain", "The Biggest and Best", "Four in Hand", "Sugar Cream". Gradually, their production expanded, but sales were still low due to the presence of impurities in gum that were difficult to remove from the resin.
In 1869, dentist William Finley Semple received the first patent for chewing gum. Semple proposed to make it from rubber with the addition of chalk, charcoal and a number of flavors. Semple claimed that such chewing gum would have a beneficial effect on the condition of the teeth. In addition, among the undoubted advantages of Semple's improved chewing gum, the inventor attributed its durability: the dentist assumed that a piece of gum could be used for weeks and months, since rubber is very durable.
However, William Semple, for unknown reasons, was never able to establish industrial production of chewing gum.
Chewing gum is a culinary product that consists of an inedible elastic base and various flavoring and aromatic additives.
In the process of use, chewing gum practically does not decrease in volume, but all the fillers gradually dissolve, after which the base becomes tasteless and is usually thrown away. Many types of chewing gum can be blown into bubbles as entertainment, which in English-speaking countries has given it another name Bubble Gum (that is, something like "bubble gum").
background
The prototypes of modern chewing gum can be found in any part of the world. It is known that even the ancient Greeks chewed the resin of the mastic tree to freshen their breath and clean their teeth from food debris. For this, beeswax was also used. The Mayan tribes used hardened hevea juice - rubber - as chewing gum. In the North of America, the Indians chewed the resin of coniferous trees, which they evaporated over a fire. In Siberia, the so-called Siberian tar was used, which not only brushed teeth, but also strengthened the gums, and also treated various diseases. In India and Southeast Asia, a mixture of pepper betel leaves, areca palm seeds and lime became the prototype of modern chewing gum (more details in article Bethel). This composition not only disinfected the oral cavity, but was also considered an aphrodisiac. In some Asian countries, it is still chewed. In Europe, the first prerequisites for the use of chewing gum appeared in the 16th century, when sailors brought tobacco from India. Gradually, the habit spread further to the United States. This went on for three hundred years, as all attempts to replace chewing tobacco with wax, paraffin, or other substances were unsuccessful. The world's first chewing gum factory was founded in Bangor, Maine, USA. Since then, the history of chewing gum has developed at a rapid pace. Until that time, the production of chewing gum was not an independent industry, and chewing gum itself was not a commercially distributed part of consumer goods. Thanks to the assembly line, chewing gum became a commodity, and the fashion for chewing gum spread from America to all over the world.
First experiences.
1848 John Curtis establishes industrial production of chewing gum. There are only four boilers in his factory. In one of the coniferous resins, impurities were evaporated, in the rest, a mass was prepared for products with the addition of light flavorings. The first chewing gums were called "White Mountain", "Sugar Cream" and "Lulu's Licorice".
1850s. Production is expanding. Curtis is now helped by his brother. Chewing gum is cut into cubes. The first paper wrapper appears. Chewing gum is sold for a cent for two. The brothers' Curtis Chewing Gum Company is building a new factory in Portland. More than 200 people are employed in production. The range of products is expanding. There are chewing gums "Four in Hand", "American Flag", "Pine Highway", "Yanke Pine", etc. 1860s. The Curtis brothers' products never made it outside of Maine. Unsightly appearance and poor cleaning (even pine needles came across in chewing gum) scared off buyers. The outbreak of the Civil War completely forced the curtailment of production. 1869 Renowned New York photographer Thomas Adams purchases a large shipment of rubber from Mexican General Antonio de Santa Anna. After unsuccessful experiments in vulcanization, in artisanal conditions, he produces chewing gum like the Mexican chicle. Chewing gum is wrapped in bright multicolored candy wrappers and sold in several stores.
Patented chewing gum
1870s. Thomas Adams builds a chewing gum factory. Sales rise to 100 thousand pieces per year. The first chewing gum flavored with licorice appears, which has its own name - Black Jack.
1871. Thomas Adams receives the first patent for a chewing gum machine. Adams' New York Gum sells for 5 cents each (a dollar a box). To many apothecaries, Adams is giving away the first batches free of charge on the condition that they display samples in their display cases. 1880s. William J. White, also known as P. T. Barnum (from the English barn - granary) creates Yucatan chewing gum by mixing rubber with cereal syrup and adding peppermint. John Colgan for the first time adds flavorings and sugar before combining it with rubber mass. This allows the finished chewing gum to retain its flavor and aroma much longer. The patent for this invention was subsequently purchased by William Wrigley, the founder of the Wrigley Company. Popularizing chewing gum among girls, entrepreneur Jonathan Primley creates the brand Kiss me! 1888 The Adams factory invents Tutti-Frutti, a fruit-flavoured chewing gum that becomes extremely popular in America.
1871. Apothecary John Colgan of Louisville, USA, mistakenly received 1,500 pounds (680.39 kg) of rubber instead of 100 pounds (45.36 kg) he ordered. He founded Colgan's Taffy Tolu Chewing Gum.
1888 The first chewing gum vending machines appeared. They belonged to the Adams Tutti-Frutti company and were located at train stations in New York.
A woman buys chewing gum on a Tokyo street.
1891 A new player enters the market - the Wrigley company, which manages to press the Adams factory in a short time. William Wrigley, a soap maker, notes that Americans prefer not his main product, but Lotta and Vassar chewing gums, which were offered "in the appendage". A resourceful entrepreneur quickly reorients production.
1893 At the Wrigley Factory
start producing mint
chewing gum
Spearmint and fruity
1899 Franklin W. Canning, manager of a New York City pharmacy, introduces for the first time a special chewing gum to the market, which, according to advertising, "prevents tooth decay and freshens breath." She gets the name Dentyne. Its distinguishing feature is its unique pink color.
As a result of the merger of Adams Gum (T. Adams Jr.), Yucatan Gum (W. White), Beeman's Gum (E. Beeman), Kiss-Me Gum (J. Primpi) and S. T. Britten (S. Britten), American Chicle. Modern chewing gum
1914 The emergence of the brand Wrigley Doublemint
1919 William Wrigley Jr. achieved astronomical growth of his business in an unconventional way - he sent a piece of gum to all Americans whose addresses were in the phone book.
Sign on the International Casino Building, Manhattan's Times Square Times Square, New York.
The Wrigley building in Chicago.
Two girls look at signs at Piccadilly Circus that include an advertisement for Wrigley gum.
1928 Twenty-three-year-old accountant Walter Diemer
developed the ideal chewing gum formula that is still followed today: 20% rubber, 60% sugar (or its substitutes), 19% corn syrup and 1% flavoring. A feature of this chewing gum is much greater elasticity. Diemer called his chewing gum Dubble Bubble because bubbles could be blown out of it. The chewing gum changed color to pink, which especially attracted children.
From an interview with Walter Diemer in 1996: It happened quite by accident. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I ended up doing it incomprehensibly with bubbles ... In the same year, the Thomas Brothers Candy Company was founded, a feature of which was an unusual location: in an old poison factory in Memphis (Tennessee). 1930s. William Wrigley comes up with a new marketing ploy. Baseball champs and comic book inserts that used to be sold with cigarettes are being sold with chewing gum. Pictures were produced in limited editions, so they became a collector's item.
Inserts from chewing gums Turbo
1930s. William Wrigley comes up with a new marketing ploy. Baseball champs and comic book inserts that used to be sold with cigarettes are being sold with chewing gum. The pictures were produced in limited editions, so they became the subject of
collectibles.
Gum pictures are starting to catch on. The most famous series of the late 30s - early 40s: G-Men, Horror "s of War, Mickey Mouse, Wild We>
Columbia University professor Hollingworth publishes the scientific work "Psychodynamics of chewing", in which he proves that chewing affects the reduction of muscle tension and helps to relax, relieving stress. Chewing gum is included in the soldier's ration (one piece of chewing gum is included in the daily ration).
1933 Inserts for chewing gum are produced on thick cardboard.
An unusual "charcoal chewing gum" appears on sale, which is advertised on packages of Mounds and other candies of the Peter Paul company.
1939 By decision of the Commission on Nutrition, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics, chewing gum is included in the classification of food products. Manufacturers were relieved of the need to sign all the ingredients on the packaging. Wrigley opens a factory in New Zealand.
1944 Wrigley's Orbit brand enters the market. Chewing gum is produced specifically for American soldiers. Dubble Bubble releases chewing gum with two new flavors - grape and apple
and over time even with this:]
1954 The Dubble Bubble Company organizes the first television bubble gum competition.
1956 The Bowman Company merges with Topps Chewing Gum. murol Confections Company launches Blammo sugar-free soft chewing gum. Coolmint Gum with a penguin on the package from the Lotte Company enters the market. Chewing gum begins to produce Kent Gida. The presidential campaign uses chewing gum for advertising and political purposes. It comes in the form of cigars and encourages voters to vote for certain candidates. 1962 The Guinness Book of Records has named the world's most overgrown gum chewer. She became Mary Francis Stubbs, who at that time was 106 years old. 1964 The Tijuana Brass orchestra is recording music for the Teaberry Gum advertising campaign. The composition makes the orchestra famous. Wrigley's first Freedent chewing gums hit the market.
1962 The Guinness Book of Records has named the world's most overgrown gum chewer. She became Mary Francis Stubbs, who at that time was 106 years old.
1964 The Tijuana Brass orchestra is recording music for the Teaberry Gum advertising campaign. The composition makes the orchestra famous.
Wrigley's first Freedent chewing gums hit the market.
Modern chewing gum consists primarily of a chewing base (mainly synthetic polymers), to which components are sometimes added derived from the sap of the Sapodilla tree or from the resin of coniferous trees.
Experts recommend using chewing gum only immediately after meals and no more than five minutes a day. Otherwise, it promotes the release of gastric juice into an empty stomach, which can contribute to the development of stomach ulcers and gastritis. However, after eating, in people suffering from heartburn, chewing gum helps relieve its symptoms. The secreted saliva, which has an alkaline reaction, is swallowed. The acidic contents of the lower third of the esophagus are neutralized. At the same time, a constant supply of saliva ensures the clearance of the lower third of the esophagus.
Some soluble components of chewing gum are unfavorable for the body if they enter it in large quantities. For example,
sorbitol, a widely used sugar substitute in
chewing gum, laxative
action, which manufacturers warn about on the packaging
With weakness of the dental ligament, with periodontal disease
gum can contribute to tooth loss.
Another myth about chewing gum is that chewing gum can cause a filling to fall out. Correctly placed fillings do not fall out from chewing gum. If the filling fell out, this indicates either a poorly installed filling, or ongoing caries.
or tooth decay. However, there is a danger to the jaw joints.
Interesting Facts
The biggest chewing gum bubble ever
recorded in July 1994 at the ABC television studio in New York. It was inflated by Susan Mantgomery from the USA, the diameter of the bubble was 58.5 centimeters (this is more than the size in the shoulders of an adult man of average build).
The damage caused by chewing gum to the street exterior when it hits sidewalks, house walls, benches, etc. is called gumfitti. Scientists around the world have been struggling for many years to create chemicals that would dissolve chewing gum without harming the environment. For harmless disposal, they come up with very unusual methods. So, in the city of San Luis Obispo (California) for forty years there has been a wall on which everyone can stick their chewing gum. This is a local attraction. The wall is covered with rubber in several layers. In German Bosholt, tree branches are used for the same purpose.
I will add more
Chewing gum made of resin and pine needles
The origin of chewing gum has a long history. Even the ancient Greeks and Mayans chewed resin and viscous tree sap to tune in to meditation. Later, settlers from Europe adopted this tradition from the Indians, and began to chew pine resin and beeswax, including for the prevention of throat diseases.
The first attempt at industrial production of the prototype of modern pine resin chewing gum can be considered a small business of John B. Curtis of Maine. It was organized in 1848. Resin chewing gum was not very popular because it was difficult to remove unwanted impurities from pine resin at that time, and not many people knew about the existence of a new product.
Resin chewing gum was not very popular because it was difficult to remove unwanted impurities from pine resin at that time.
December 28, 1869 is considered to be the birthday of modern chewing gum. William F. Semple, an Ohio dentist, received a patent for chewing gum. The patent was vague about the creation of "a certain combination of rubber with other substances, in different proportions, suitable for making chewing gum."
Sample didn't make gum to sell. He was more interested in the process of invention and improvement. He probably did not believe in the possibility of the success of his invention on the market - the unsuccessful experience of his predecessors did not inspire.
Gum instead of bike tires
In the same 1869, an inventor and photographer from New York - Thomas Adams - purchased a ton of Mexican rubber from the former President and General of Mexico, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, for the production of rubber.
He was going to make toys, bicycle tires and shoes, but he noticed that some Mexicans were chewing the raw material for rubber - chicle. Adams decided to brew a small batch of rubber gum in his kitchen. The resulting substance was quite chewable.
Two similar inventions by two different people. The first came up and forgot, the second decided to try his luck.
Thomas Adams exhibited a trial batch of the new product in several local stores. Customers appreciated the product, and soon Thomas Adams' business took off. In 1871, Adams designed and patented a machine for the automatic production of chewing gum. In addition, he added licorice extract to the base to improve the taste and smell and, as a result, increase sales.
Thomas Adams called the world's first flavored chewing gum Black Jack. It had the shape of an even oblong stick. Adams' New York Gum sold for 5 cents each (a dollar a box). To many apothecaries, Adams distributed the first batches free of charge on the condition that they display samples in their display cases.
In 1888, Adams' "Tutti-Frutti" chewing gum vending machines appeared in the United States. They were placed at electric train stations in crowded New York.
Soapmaker produces chewing gum
For a time, Adams had a monopoly on chewing gum. But progress does not stand still, and a successful product that is in demand is difficult to keep in one hand. Already at the beginning of the twentieth century, a fairly large number of chewing gum manufacturers entered the market and began to compete for consumer attention. Among the manufacturing companies, Wrigley's, known to this day, occupied a special place.
This transnational corporation was founded in 1891 under very unexpected circumstances. Successful soap salesman William Wrigley once noticed that customers came to his store not only for the soap, but also for the two sticks of Lotta and Vassar chewing gum that came with the purchase.
Wrigley realized that this circumstance could be used to expand business areas. So from a seller of soap, he retrained into a manufacturer of chewing gum - Wrigley.
Chewing gum for free and let no one leave offended
In 1893, the factory began producing Spearmint mint chewing gum and Juicy Fruit. William Wrigley became a real innovator in the chewing gum market. He changed the traditional form, dividing the usual bars into five separate plates. The plates were wrapped in waxed paper so that they would not stick to each other.
Advertisements for Wrigley products began to appear on the sides of streetcars and omnibuses. Girls (prototypes of modern promoters) handed out chewing gum for free on the streets of megacities to attract the attention of buyers and taste a new product.
A stick of chewing gum was given to every immigrant who entered the United States through Ellis Island.
Wrigley Corporation developed at a galloping pace in the United States, and soon entered the world market. In 1910, the company built its first out-of-state plant in Canada. In 1915, a factory was built in Australia. Wrigley did not skimp on advertising campaigns that followed one after another.
To popularize chewing gum among children, the book "Mother Goose" was published with poems and colorful illustrations. For promotional purposes, sticks of chewing gum were sent to all New Yorkers whose names were listed in the city's telephone directory.
Later, a stick of chewing gum was given to every immigrant who entered the United States through Ellis Island. As a result, William Wrigley's chewing gum became a symbol of America.
To date, Wrigley has entered the markets of more than 180 countries around the world. The corporation includes 15 factories around the world. Wrigley is one of the largest confectionery manufacturers in the world.
and chewing gum - one of the symbols of America and the cherished dream of the Soviet child - was patented exactly 140 years ago. The dentist who copyrighted the gum claimed that his mixture of rubber, chalk, and charcoal was good for teeth, and one piece could last weeks or months. Now doctors are not so clear about the benefits of "bubble gum".
Chewing gum (chewing gum) is a special culinary product that consists of an inedible elastic base and various flavoring and aromatic additives. In the process of use, chewing gum practically does not decrease in volume, but all the fillers gradually dissolve, after which the base becomes tasteless and is usually thrown away. Bubble gum can be blown out of many types of gum as entertainment, which in English-speaking countries has given it another name Bubble Gum (that is, something like "bubble rubber").
Ancestors of chewing man
The history of chewing gum goes back centuries. The very first chewing gum dates back to the Stone Age, VII-II millennia BC. In 2007, during excavations in Finland, a 5,000-year-old piece of resin was found with imprints of human teeth.
It is known that even the ancient Greeks chewed the resin of the mastic tree to freshen their breath. The Mayan Indians used the congealed sap of the sapodilla tree to clean their teeth and freshen their breath. They called this chewy mixture “chicle”. Much later, it served as the basis for the industrial production of chewing gum.
Generation G
The fashion for chewing gum in the world appeared after the Second World War. American military personnel, whose ration included chewing gum, introduced this product to the inhabitants of Asia, Africa and Europe. Gum began to be produced in Japan, Germany, Great Britain, France and other countries.
Chewing gum was not produced in the Soviet Union for a long time, and the Soviet analogues that appeared in the 1970s were inferior to foreign ones in terms of elasticity and packaging design.
"Imported chewing gum" was a kind of cult object among Soviet children and teenagers. Wrappers and inserts from her were collected, exchanged for various trifles, played or argued for them.
Undeniable benefit...
There is a lot of controversy about the benefits and harms of chewing gum. Gum manufacturers prove the usefulness of their product. First of all, it is an opportunity to clean the teeth and oral cavity from food debris after eating, freshness of breath.
Chinese astronauts even brush their teeth with special chewing gum, not being able to use an ordinary toothbrush in space. And during the years of prohibition in the United States, in bars that illegally sold alcohol, chewing gum was handed out to visitors to drown out the smell of alcohol.
In addition to mechanical cleaning of the oral cavity, thanks to sweeteners (sorbitol, xylitol) in modern chewing gum, the acid-base balance is restored.
Interesting
The whitening properties of chewing gum are greatly exaggerated, chewing gum is completely unable to remove plaque: it is too tenacious for it. A small exception is chewing gum with hard granules in its composition, which can slightly “scratch” the surface of the tooth. However, no gum can replace a full-fledged brushing with toothpaste.
In addition, chewing gum is used by airplane passengers to avoid problems with stuffy ears. And recently, scientists said that chewing gum without sugar "burns" kilograms.
...and undoubted harm
These and other arguments are counterbalanced by the fact that if chewed too often, chewing gum has a negative effect on tooth enamel. In addition, excessive chewing contributes to the development of gastritis, since when a person chews, gastric juice is released, which irritates the gastric mucosa.
Last year, British doctors said that excessive use of gum can even lead to indigestion with serious consequences.
From constant chewing, the temporomandibular joint, the one that connects the temporal bone and the lower jaw, can suffer. If this joint is inflamed, chewing is not recommended.
sticky trash
Used chewing gum causes the most indisputable harm to city streets, public transport, etc. Thus, about 3 kg of old chewing gum is collected daily at the New York Central Station. In English, there is even a special term for the pollution of walls and sidewalks with chewing gum - gumfitti.
Not surprisingly, in Singapore, for example, chewing gum is illegal.
"Gum Alley" "Gum Alley"
Illegal
But gum, regardless of brand or taste, has never been a product that everyone likes. In the 1970s, some American doctors considered it harmful, because, in their opinion, it "exhausted the salivary glands and could lead to sticking of the internal organs." In the 1950s and 1960s, orthodontists forbade it to patients with corrective braces on their teeth due to the fact that it was considered impossible to clean it with a toothbrush. The ban on chewing gum then extended to American schools. But the most famous case of chewing gum being illegal is the ban on its import and sale in Singapore, introduced by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1992. The punishment for illegal distribution is a large fine and even imprisonment for up to two years. Thus, the authorities of the southeastern state, known for its impeccable cleanliness, wanted to rid sidewalks, buildings and public transport of black spots left by chewing gum. However, in the battle between money and purity, the former won. In 2004, thanks to a free trade agreement between the United States and Singapore, the ban was lifted. However, now in Singapore only chewing gum with medicinal properties (anti-nicotine) is allowed for sale, and when buying it, an identity card is still required.
The economic side of the cleanliness of the streets are also concerned in Europe. The current fine in Barcelona of 450 euros for chewing gum thrown in a public place does not save: about 1,800 stains from it are wiped off by city services daily, spending 100,000 euros per year on this. In November 2010, the Spanish government decided that the local chewing gum was too sticky and decided to change its composition - the use of a polymer used in the creation of plastics and in the cosmetics industry is being considered. In the UK, chewing gum with similar properties appeared in March 2010. Chicza, imported by the British from Mexico, not only does not stick to the floor, but is also biodegradable.
Website materials used: http://liveinukraine.livejournal.com
September 23, 1848 is considered the birthday of chewing gum. We tell how the first chewing gum was “brewed”, when bubbles were blown out of it and what is the phenomenon of Wrigley Spearmint.
A century and a half ago, the industrial production of chewing gum was first established in the United States. Since then, its recipe, taste and even social role have changed a lot. Gum has become a symbol of American teenagers, a trophy for collectors, a material for art objects and, of course, a faithful assistant to dentists.
Resin and wax
Scientists are still wondering exactly when primitive people came up with the idea to chew the resin of a tree, but it definitely happened back in the Stone Age. Archaeologists found the oldest chewing gum at the moment in 2007 in Finland - this is a petrified piece of birch tar with a clear imprint of a human tooth. The age of this "chewing gum" is estimated at about 5 thousand years.
Later, the habit of chewing sticky elastic substances for the prevention of dental diseases arose in various parts of the world. It is known that the ancient Greeks chewed mastic tree resin and beeswax to get rid of food debris and freshen their breath. In India and Southeast Asia, betel, a mixture of pepper betel leaves, areca seeds, and lime, has become popular.
The Maya and Aztecs made incisions on sapodilla fruit trees, from which the milky juice stood out. From it they prepared "chikle" - a kind of chewing gum, designed to relieve thirst and hunger among the soldiers.
The northern tribes of the Indians preferred spruce and pine resin, and the peoples of Siberia chewed it.
By the way, it is believed that European colonists adopted the custom of chewing gum from the Indians on the American continent. A few centuries later, America became the official birthplace of modern chewing gum.
Indian heritage
In the early 19th century, pieces of resin from coniferous trees became a frequent commodity for grocers on the East Coast of the United States. In 1848, the Curtis brothers, from Maine, added a little paraffin, flavorings and sweeteners to the processed softened resin and got a mass similar to modern chewing gum. Small portions of the viscous mass they packed in paper and sold under different "brands". True, the quality suffered: in some chewing gums there were pine needles, and in the heat the goods melted and quickly deteriorated. This undertaking, which took place 170 years ago, never grew into a serious business. Nevertheless, it was it that became the starting point associated with the production of chewing gum.
20 years later, in 1869, the first patent was issued in the United States for the technology of making chewing gum. E th the author, dentist William Stanley, claimed that his invention is an excellent simulator for the jaws and gums, which stimulates metabolic processes and blood circulation in the oral cavity.
By the will of fate, he never took up the production of chewing gum. But his compatriots to - a certain Thomas Adams - turned out to be quite successful businessman. He got caught up in the real business adventure by buying from General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, who fled from Mexico, a huge batch of rubber - a product of processing the very latex from which the Mayan tribes made "chicle".
Adams planned to make rubber from raw materials, but quite by accidentengaged in its direct production, welded ... chewing gum - and began to sell it. For many years he experimented with flavors, adding licorice and fruit flavors. The product has become popular: chewing gum began to be sold in pharmacies and even in vending machines at train stations in New York.
For adults and children
In 1882, another American businessman, William Wrigley Jr., became interested in chewing gum. He made a living selling soap and baking soda. Witness told Wrigley that people are much more willing to buy a product if they offer some little thing along with it - so to speak, a bonus ─ for free.
Chewing gum acted as a "pleasure". It attracted buyers even more than the main product. Wrigley, inspired by the results of the "market research", bought the patent and began to produce chewing gum under his own name.
So the Wrigley company was born, and in 1893 it introduced the brands ─ Juicy Fruit and Spearmint to customers.
A born salesman, William Wrigley did not skimp on marketing and advertising. In 1915, for example, he mailed a free sample of his chewing gum to every U.S. citizen whose name was listed in the telephone directory (there were several million of them). With his input, chewing gum acquired a mint flavor and began to be produced in various forms - plates, balls and dragees, which we are familiar with today.
An important change in the production technology of the product was made by the chemist Walter Diemer in 1928. He developed a special formula that made it easy to blow bubbles out of chewing gum. Chewing gum became a favorite among children, and "pink bubbles" became an integral part of the image of American teenagers.
By the way, the largest bubble with a diameter of 58.5 centimeters was blown in 1994 by American Susan Montgomery - the record was recorded in the ABC television studio. The popularity of chewing gum among children was added by another marketing move by William Wrigley. In 1930, he came up with the idea of putting special cards with images of baseball players and comic book characters in the package. "Inserts" of rare series quickly became a collector's item.
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"It's bubblegum!"
During World War II, the whole world learned about American chewing gum. She was part of the rations of soldiers, and with their filing, Asia, Africa and Europe began to “chew” in the post-war years. In the USSR, imported chewing gum was a cult object - it could only be obtained from speculators or through acquaintances who managed to go on business trips abroad (of course, there were few of them).
In the 1970s, on the eve of the Olympics, the production of Soviet chewing gum began - first in Armenia and Estonia, then in Russian cities. By the beginning of perestroika, sugar factories, bakeries, pasta factories mastered its production. Chewing gum penetrated Soviet pop culture: the phrase "It's bubble gum!" from the cartoon "Return of the Prodigal Parrot" became winged.
Chew don't worry
According to the research company IMARC Group, in 2017, chewing gum sales worldwide reached $21 billion. About 100,000 tons of chewing gum are “chewed” annually in the world. The largest consumers of this product are North America, China and ... the countries of the Middle East. Americans alone consume an average of 300 gums per person per year.
But not all chewing gum goes directly into the mouth: for example, the Italian Maurizio Savini “sculpts” sculptures from it. Two of his assistants unpack the gum for several hours a day and melt it into layers, and then the resulting material goes into action.
In the future, chewing gum will be chewed not only by the inhabitants of the Earth, but also by the conquerors of other planets. At least, Franciska Apprich, an associate professor at the Canadian University in Dubai, who in 2017 presented a prototype of this product for the colonizers of Mars, is sure of this. Chewing gum based on natural ingredients will help you quickly adapt to a new environment and simplify oral hygiene when it is not possible to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth - in particular, in weightless conditions.
Photo: Getty Images, backinpast.ru, archives of press services
The history of chewing gum in its modern form goes back 170 years. This product first appeared in September 1848 thanks to the Curtis brothers, American entrepreneurs from the state of Maine. It is they who are considered the inventors of chewing gum, beloved in the civilized world. Without which it is already difficult to imagine the end of lunch and preparation for a business meeting or date.
Mouth freshener
Cunning businessmen advertised their invention primarily as a means of combating bad breath, since not all citizens of that time had the opportunity to brush their teeth. Bright enticing slogans quickly affected the minds of buyers, and already in 1850 the brothers expanded production.
At that time, chewing gum was lumps of pine resin, which were mixed with a pleasant-tasting beeswax. The tiles were sprinkled with starch to keep them from sticking together and packaged. Of course, the taste was not very pleasant, but the hygienic benefits were obvious.
Later, when the popularity of the novelty began to grow, four brands of chewing gum appeared on the market at once. One of the brothers, John Curtis, suggested adding flavored paraffin to the mass. So the names "Pine highway" and "Spruce 200" appeared.
Rubber chewing gum
A colossal breakthrough in the manufacturing industry was the use of rubber. For the first time, a patent for the manufacture of such a product was issued in the name of William Semple. But with all the privileges he had, things did not work out for him.
But another representative of the business world, Thomas Adams, in 1869 unexpectedly produced a ton of gum at once. By chance, he bought inexpensive rubber, and not knowing what to do with it, he decided to cook it in an artisanal way. At home, he independently formed the first chewable plastics.
Surprisingly, he instantly sold all his goodies and thought about a larger project. The next common sense was to improve the taste of the already tested product. After trying various options, Adams settled on licorice. The licorice flavor was persistent and pleasant. This is how the famous black jack, which was more like a small pencil.
Since then, the procession of chewing plates across the planet has been hard to stop. There were new tastes, forms, wrappers. During Prohibition, these magical scent balls were in great demand as they greatly reduced the smell of alcohol.
The popularity of bubblegum in the 20th century is hard to compare with anything else. In the Soviet Union, anything could be traded for bubble gum plastic. Wrappers were collected, and the “gum” itself became a symbol of the “decaying West” for a long time.
By the way, in ancient times, many peoples used the resin of trees to cleanse their teeth and freshen up. It is known that in ancient Greece this method was used to maintain personal hygiene. The Indians of America chewed the bark and secretions of the rubber tree, and the peoples of the North used the miraculous mummy to preserve their teeth.
And now find out, and. They have an equally interesting history.
She was called a symbol of America, banned and tried not to notice. And she claimed the lives of two dozen Soviet people and still conquered the Russian market. The true history of chewing gum and its true impact on the human body today - in a review on MedAboutMe.
Turned pages of history
If you could go back and get into 1871 in New York, you could try the first patented chewing gum - Black Jack. Unlike its predecessors, it had a pleasant taste, looked attractive and did not contain third-party impurities. The chewing gums that were produced before that scared off buyers with a nondescript appearance and a poor degree of purification of raw materials, which is why real coniferous needles sometimes came across in them!
They sold new gum for five cents a piece. Its manufacturer is thomas adams, He delivered the first batches of goods to pharmacies completely free of charge, provided that the owners put new products on display. It soon brought him a considerable income.
And in 1888, Tutti-Frutti chewing gum was produced at the Adams factory, which immediately conquered America. Its fruity taste captivated the inhabitants of the country and became known far beyond the borders of the United States. For the first time, gum vending machines are being installed at train stations in New York. Using an elastic band becomes fashionable, cool and prestigious.
A tragic incident contributed to the emergence of chewing gum in the USSR. In March 1975, the junior team of the Soviet Union and the Canadian team met on the ice arena at the Sokolniki Sports Palace. The guests from Canada were sponsored by the Wrigley company, which has been producing chewing gum for over a hundred years.
During the game, visitors treated Soviet children to chewing gum, which was considered a valuable, scarce commodity. In the third match, one of the Canadians threw a handful of chewing gum into the podium, after which an instant stampede formed. Everyone wanted to try a new product and was eager to get it. The administration of the Sports Palace, seeing that the guests took up cameras and video cameras, ordered to turn off the lighting. So in total darkness, 21 people died, most of them were children. This case was not described in the press, but it was he who prompted the USSR authorities to think about creating domestic chewing gum.
Products that are the prototype of modern chewing gum can be found in every corner of the globe. Archaeological excavations show that the ancient Greeks chewed the resin of the mastic pistachio tree, which they used as a hygiene product. The Egyptians prepared a mixture of frankincense, myrrh and cinnamon mixed with honey. The Mayan tribes used the hardened sap of the hevea tree, and the northern Indians used the resin of coniferous trees.
On the territory of Siberia larch resin, which was called "Siberian resin", was held in high esteem. She not only played the role of chewing gum, but also strengthened the gums. With its help, they even treated various diseases.
But if the first prototypes of chewing gum were in principle harmless and even somewhat useful, then the modern product causes a lot of controversy. And there are reasons for that!
The “ideal” chewing gum formula that is still used today was invented in 1928 by a 23-year-old American Walter Leamer. The gum was 60% sugar (or sugar substitutes), 19% corn syrup, 20% rubber, and 1% flavoring. The product was distinguished by the fact that it had high elasticity and allowed to inflate bubbles. The product was named Dubble Bubble. It had a beautiful bright pink color that attracted the attention of children and teenagers.
About the benefits and harms of the product: the most interesting facts
Compared to chewing products from the past, today's product has real superpowers. It not only cleanses the oral cavity, has a disinfecting effect and prevents the development of bacteria, but also whitens teeth, prevents caries, helps relieve stress and even lose weight. But which of these is true, and which is just a marketing ploy?
The first chewing gums were made on the basis of sugar, which negatively affected the health of the teeth, as it created all the conditions for the development of caries and tooth decay. Modern gum most often does not contain sugar, it was replaced by sweeteners - xylitol, sorbitol and aspartame.
Unlike refined sugar, they do not affect the health of the teeth, but are not without side effects. So, there is evidence that aspartame can negatively affect the nervous system, provoke the occurrence of headaches, nausea, visual impairment.
Many gums contain xylitol. This substance reduces the number of bacteria in the mouth and neutralizes acids, thereby helping to protect tooth enamel. In addition, xylitol stimulates the production of saliva, which helps to remove plaque and food particles from the surface of the teeth.
Does not affect weight loss
In 2013 in the magazine Eating Behaviors published the results of an American study. It turned out that chewing gum, which is often recommended before meals to reduce hunger and reduce calories consumed, does not provide the benefits described. It doesn't help you lose weight!
On the contrary, mint-flavoured gum (and this is the most popular type of product in the world!) has a negative effect on taste buds, making healthy foods seem tasteless after it. As a result, consumers choose high-calorie junk food such as potato chips and candy and reduce the amount of fruits and vegetables in the diet, which leads to weight gain.
Helps reduce symptoms of stress
According to a study by scientists, conducted in collaboration with the main manufacturers of gum in the United States - companies Wrigley and Cadbury, the use of gum improves mood and reduces the manifestation of anxiety and stress. Of course, the data provided by manufacturers should be taken with skepticism, but many similar studies have shown the same results. Experiments have shown that the level of the hormone cortisol, a marker of stress, decreases with chewing.
To satisfy the need for chewing, as well as reduce the manifestations of stress, Dr. Don Atkins, a California dentist, recommends eating apples: “It's a healthier way to relieve stress. Among other things, apples reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which is swallowed with air. This is fraught with the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome. With this condition, there is a sharp pain in the abdomen, painful bowel movements are characteristic. Among other things, the synthetic sweeteners sorbitol E420 and mannitol E421 can cause diarrhea in some people.
Helps to beat drowsiness
Research by scientists from Coventry University show that chewing gum helps to overcome drowsiness and relieves fatigue. It's a decent alternative to coffee if you can't wake up.
The most popular chewing gum flavors in the world are mint, menthol and cinnamon.
Dangerous for children
The food additive E211, which is widely used today in the manufacture of chewing gums, is accused by scientists of stimulating hyperactivity in children. However, the preservative sodium benzoate is still allowed in Russia and Europe. However, researchers are seriously concerned about its negative effect.
There is talk that this preservative in alliance with artificial dyes (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129) negatively affects the behavior and intelligence of children. Therefore, it is recommended to gradually withdraw them from use.
Experts admit that the effect of using chewing gum as a breath freshener is so short-lived that it can be ignored altogether.
Supplementing chewing gum with colored liners, which later became a collector's item, began in the 1930s. It was an initiative of the owner of a chewing gum company - William Wrigley. He ordered that chewing gum be wrapped in images of comic book heroes and reigning champions.
May be a migraine trigger
According to a study published in January 2014 in the journal Pediatric Neurology, regular use of chewing gum for a long period of time is fraught with health risks. Excessive tension of the temporomandibular joint, which occurs during chewing movements, leads to the appearance of migraines and headaches. Children and teenagers suffer from it first of all.
Affects memory
American scientists from Newcastle University concluded that chewing stimulated brain regions responsible for memory, increased insulin production, and increased heart rate. As a result, a person thinks faster and performs the tasks assigned to him.
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