On September 23, the world celebrates the birthday of chewing gum. The early precursors to chewing gum were chunks of spruce resin, dried sap, leaves and plant seeds.
"White Mountain," "Sugar Cream," and "Liquorice Lulu" were the names of the first commercial chewing gum developed by John Curtis in a small factory in 1848. The first ever patent for chewing gum was issued on July 27, 1869 to Amos Tyler of Toledo, Ohio. And in five months the next patent was issued to dentist William Semple.
Chewing gum is a controversial invention. On the one hand, it ends up stuck to sidewalks, walls, benches and trees. On the other, it keeps your breath fresh, lets you blow huge bubbles, and is associated with some fun facts.
For example, they say that in 1911 pilots of the Royal British Air Force prevented an airplane crash by sealing a hole in the engine water jacket with... chewing gum.
The record-breaking bubblegum bubble (58.5 cm) was blown by Susan Montgomery, US, in 1994.
Chewing gum has also made its mark in art: Italian designer Maurizio Savini has used it to create his sculptures.
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