Bubble Gum Data Sheet

This information was compiled by Mrs. Barragree several years ago. Newer, more accurate, information may be available. Please use this page as a starting point for your own research.

Symbols to the left of each statement indicate the source of the information, as listed at the bottom of the page.

~ The largest reported diameter of a bubble-gum bubble was 22 inches; the bubble was blown by Susan Montgomery Williams of Fresno, California, in June of 1985.

~ There are strict rules for bubble-gum blowing contests if someone wants to set a record.

· Bubble gum is a form of chewing gum.

· The five main ingredients of average bubble gum: gum base, sweetener (usually sugar), corn syrup, softeners, flavorings

· According to World Book Encyclopedia, "The gum base (chewy portion) of bubble gum is firm and elastic so that chewers can blow bubbles without popping the gum."

* The most popular gum flavors: spearmint, peppermint, cinnamon, and fruit flavors.

* Studies have demonstrated that chewing gum helps people relax.

* People may experience increased concentration and relief of boredom when they chew gum.

* Gum base is the part of bubble gum that does not dissolve when a person chews the gum.

* According to World Book Encyclopedia, "The gum base in bubble gum is firmer and more elastic than the base in other chewing gum."

* Ancient Greeks chewed bark-resin gum called "mastiche"

* When European colonists met the New England Indians, the colonists learned how to chew the hardened sap of the spruce trees * Modern chewing gum was begun in the late 1860's

* Thomas Adams, Sr., an inventor in New York City, discovered that boiling Mexican chicle (originally sold to the United States as a form of rubber) created an excellent chewing gum.

* The bubble gum form of chewing gum was first created in 1906.

Bubble gum wasn't perfected and marketed until 1928.

Sugar-free gum began to be manufactured in the mid-1960's.

* Sugar-free gum may be sweetened with one of the following: sorbitol, mannitol, aspartame, or saccharin.

* Dentists often suggest sugar-free gum because they think sugar in gum can cause tooth decay.

* According to World Book Encyclopedia, "Research suggests that the sugar in regular gum separates from the other ingredients, and that the washing effect of saliva produced during chewing lessens the possibility of tooth decay."

* Swallowing chewing gum accidentally is not harmful

* Currently, there are over 500 companies in approximately 100 countries manufacturing chewing gum.

* The United States is the major producer of chewing gum

+ "When I was a child, my grandfather taught me to chew wheat kernels to produce a crude form of chewing gum."

+ Sometimes gum is stuck under desks by students.

Symbol Key to information sources:

~ "Bubble Gum Blowing" Guinness Book of Records 1992 Edition p. 524
· "Bubble Gum" World Book Encyclopedia 1990
* "Chewing Gum" World Book Encyclopedia 1990
+ Mrs. Barragree

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