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In 1848, the first chewing gum was officially produced, which was made by the British brothers Curtis and began to trade their product on the market. It is unfair to say that the history of this product began from that moment, because prototypes of gum existed before.
During archaeological excavations, chewed pieces of resin or beeswax are now and then found – thus, in ancient Greece and the Middle East, people for the first time cleaned their teeth from food debris and gave freshness to their breath. The Maya Indians used rubber – the sap of the Hevea tree, the Siberian peoples – the viscous resin of larch, the Asians – a mixture of pepper betel leaves and lime for disinfection.
Chicle – Native American prototype of modern chewing gum
Later, the Indians learned to boil the sap collected from the trees over a fire, as a result of which a viscous white mass appeared, softer than previous versions of rubber. This is how the first natural chewing gum base was born – chicle. There were many restrictions in the Indian community that controlled and regulated the use of chicle. For example, in public, only unmarried women and children were allowed to chew gum, but married women could chew chicle only when no one sees them. A man chewing a chicle was accused of effeminacy and shame.
The colonialists from the Old World adopted the indigenous peoples’ habit of chewing chicle and began to do business on it, shipping chicle to European countries. Where, however, it was more common to use chewing tobacco, which has long competed with chicle.
The first commercial production of chewing gum began in the 19th century, when the aforementioned Curtis brothers began packing pieces of pine resin mixed with beeswax into paper. They also added paraffinic flavors to make the gum taste more varied.
Where to put a ton of rubber? Let’s go chewing gum!
At the same time, a rubber band entered the market, the patent for which was received by William Finley Semple. The American’s business did not work out, but the idea was quickly picked up by the American Thomas Adams. Having bought a ton of rubber at a bargain price, he did not find any use for it and decided to cook gum.
Surprisingly, the small batch sold out quickly and Adams began mass production. A little later, he added licorice flavor and gave the chewing gum the shape of a pencil – such a gum is remembered by every American to this day.
Time for hit gum
In 1880, the most common taste of mint chewing gum entered the market, and in a few years the world will see the fruit “Tutti-Frutti”. In 1893, Wrigley became the leader in the chewing gum market.
William Wrigley first wanted to make soap. But the enterprising businessman followed the lead of the buyers and reoriented his production to another product – chewing gum. His spearmint and Juicy Fruit were huge hits, and the company is quickly becoming a monopoly in the field. At the same time, the gum also changes its shape – long thin plates in individual packaging were more convenient to use than the previous sticks.
1906 – the time of the appearance of the first bubble gum Blibber-Blubber (bubble gum), which was invented by Frank Fleer, and in 1928 was improved by Fleer’s accountant Walter Deamer. The same company invented gum-lollipops, which were in great demand, as they reduced the smell of alcohol in the mouth.
Walter Diemer developed a gum formula that continues to this day: 20% rubber, 60% sugar, 29% corn syrup, and 1% flavor.
The most unusual chewing gum: TOP 5
1. Dental chewing gum
This chewing gum contains a whole package of dental services: whitening, caries prevention, removal of dental calculus. Just 2 pads a day – and you can forget about going to the doctor. This is Arm & Hammer Dental Care recommended by US dentists. Chewing gum contains no sugar, but contains xylitol, which helps prevent tooth decay. Soda acts as a bleach, zinc is responsible for the freshness of breath.
2. Chewing gum for the mind
In 2007, Matt Davidson, a 24-year-old graduate student in the Stanford University lab, invented and will manufacture Think Gum. The scientist worked on the recipe for his invention for several years. The chewing gum contains rosemary, mint, an extract from the Indian herb bacopa, guarana and several other names of exotic plants that specifically affected the human brain, improving memory and increasing concentration.
3. Chewing gum for weight loss
The dream of all losing weight – no diets, just use weight loss chewing gum! It is with this goal in mind that the Zoft Slim chewing gum was created. It suppresses appetite and promotes weight loss. And the ingredient Hoodia Gordonii is responsible for these properties – a cactus from the South African desert, which satisfies hunger, lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
4. Energy chewing gum
The use of energy drinks fades into the background with the appearance of this energy gum, which can increase performance in just 10 minutes of chewing it – and no harm to the stomach! Blitz Energy Gum contains 55 mg of caffeine, B vitamins and taurine in one ball. Flavors of this gum – mint and cinnamon – to choose from.
5. Wine gum
Now, instead of a glass of good wine, you can just chew gum Gum, which includes powdered port wine, sherry, claret, burgundy and champagne. Of course, it is a dubious pleasure to chew wine instead of drinking it, but in Islamic states where alcohol is prohibited, this gum is popular.