Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
In 1957, Bubble Wrap (originally named Air Cap) was created by two engineers, Fielding and Chavannes, by gluing two shower curtains together with air bubbles between the layers. It was a hammer looking for a nail. The inventors first tried to sell it as a textured wallpaper — that was a dud, then later marketed it as greenhouse insulation. The Sealed Air Corporation was established three years later.
IBM found a great application for Bubble Wrap in 1961 to protect the IBM 1401 computer during transport. Since then, Bubble Wrap has become the ubiquitous shipping wrap for fragile items.
Sealed Air Corp. developed the next-generation format, iBubble Wrap, in 2015. Users inflate this version when ready to use. It decreases shipping costs but is disappointing to popping aficionados — it doesn’t pop once filled with air!
Who among us has not, at least, clandestinely enjoyed popping Bubble Wrap? According to research by Sealed Air Corp. (which might be a bit biased), if you spend one minute popping Bubble Wrap, it relieves as much stress as undergoing a 33-minute massage.
Wired Author, Rhett Allain, calculated that you could survive a fall out of a six-story window cushioned by 39 layers of Bubble Wrap (this Author does not recommend trying it.). A real-life safety tip: Norwegian EMTs use Bubble Wrap as emergency blankets to help prevent hypothermia.
Some people have done goofy things, like making Halloween costumes or silly outfits. Others have used Bubble Wrap for home interior design. There are even Bubble Wrap apps for both iPhone and Android that simulate popping bubbles with options for different color bubbles and mini-games.
Regardless of the esthetic qualities, Bubble Wrap is the go-to item for protecting delicate pieces for storage, shipping, and moving to eliminate breakage. Today, there are thermal, color, and heart-shaped bubble versions and varying thicknesses.
Admit it, have you popped Bubble Wrap? Do you secretly wish you had a piece to snap, crackle, and pop?
