Whether you like chewing gum or consider it a vulgar pampering, the popularity of chewing gum from this does not think to decline. In fact, when the first copies of chewing gum appeared on the shelves in America, many perceived it as something temporary, however, they miscalculated roughly. Demand for the product grew at a fantastic pace, making chewing gum not only a people's whim, but also a cure. From this article you will learn some interesting facts about the emergence and development of the popularity of chewing gum.
1
Thank you Mexico
Today it is customary to associate chewing gum exclusively with the United States, but few people know that the country that gave the world chewing gum is Mexico. Thomas Adams brought it to the States in the 60s of the 19th century. That chewing gum was completely unlike the modern one, representing a small ball of brown color made of natural rubber (chikla).
This rubber was produced by producing a sapodilla tree fluid called latex. The juice was decanted from the split tree bark, on the way to the container, it “collected” dust particles and chips. That is why the chickle was a brown hue.
The first who tried chewing gum immediately became its fans, “hooked” on pestering fun. Natural rubber began to be shipped to America in volumes that were sufficient for its own production of chewing gum with sweeteners.
2
Modern chewing gum development
As soon as Thomas Adams pulled out rubber from natural rubber, he decided to find out its capabilities and purpose of use. The many tests conducted by Adams convinced him that rubber was exclusively suitable for the chewing process. The first batch of chewing gum chicks cost Thomas $ 35. He digested it for a long time, until the material became malleable, like dough. After that, he rolled the chickle into a plate, and cut it into many rectangular pieces.
The gum was cooled and wrapped in wrapping paper. The first chewing gum was completely tasteless, and was used simply as an object for developing the jaw.
Adams decided not to spend money on “promoting” his products, ordering expensive advertising. Instead, he arranged with the confectioners to give out the novelty for free to all their customers. The next day, every child who received a free “toy” returned to the pastry shop, demanding an addition.
3
The first flavoring additives
Despite the fact that Adams chewing gum was already in great demand, he decided not to stand still and improve his “creation”. To do this, in the early 70s of the XIX century, he launched the production of chewing gum with flavorings. The first chewing gum was tastefully called Black Jack, and had a taste of licorice. The next step was the release of fruit chewing gum. America saw the first machines in which you could buy chewing gum.
Such machines can still be found with us, the principle of their operation is quite simple - insert a coin into the hole, turn the wheel and pick up rolling chewing gum.
An irreversible process was launched - Adams turned the tasteless Mexican chickle into the main sweetness of the United States. Millions of children across the country are addicted to chewing gum, terrifying school teachers and adults (though they secretly “dabbled” in sweetness from the younger generation). By the beginning of the 1900s, other companies were also involved in the production of chewing gum, competing in the tastes and cost of the product, as well as in the advertising notes of local newspapers.
By the way, on thebiggest.ru there is an interesting article about 10 facts about food and drink manufacturers that have captured the whole world.
4
Chewing "addiction" in women
In addition to children, the fair sex was also affected by chewing gum, which caused a storm of indignation among conservative men. They equated this process with the use of chewing tobacco, which was condemned in society, and was a sign of bad taste, especially among women.
The protests among men were so strong that there were calls for a ban on the public use of chewing gum. An attempt was made to organize a society prohibiting chewing gum.
Many women in those years were humiliated for their addiction to chewing gum publicly. Some ladies have benefited from this situation using chewing gum as another way to fight for equality.
5
Wrigley’s Rise
Today, the whole world pays tribute to William Wrigley, Jr., as one of the largest producers of chewing gum with a variety of flavors. But he started his business as a seller of household goods. To attract more customers, he began to distribute chewing gum to each buyer of baking soda for free. Noticing a change in demand, William decided to switch to making chewing gum.
His company has become a manufacturer of many types of chewing gums, among which Wrigley’s Spearmint was very popular, including in Russia. The main task that Wrigley Jr. set for himself was to break the prevailing stereotype that chewing gum is “fun” only for children and young girls. The manufacturer was going to "plant" men on her.
Wrigley was able to foresee the changes brewing in society, providing his employees with expanded rights and benefits, which made him a hero in the eyes of factory workers. By the mid-20s of the 20th century, his company employees had weekends on Saturdays and Sundays, in contrast to employees of other factories and plants who worked on 6 days a week, receiving meager salaries.
6
Chewing parties
By the beginning of the 20th century, bohemian urban youth had a new “trick” - chewing gum parties. The pass for such a party was the packaging of chewing gum. The guests chewed it to a soft supple state, using it as plasticine (wasn’t it easier to buy a real one and not get your hands dirty with sticky sweetness).
According to participants in such events, time passed quickly, and the evening ended up with fancy figures molded from chewing gum.
7
Chewing Gum Medallions
During the time of Queen Victoria, medallions were in great demand. Men and women kept in them photographs of lovers or relatives, who were always carried with them. In the late 80s, one "inventor" came up with the original idea to use medallions as a "store" for chewing gum.
With the growing popularity of chewing gum, such medallions began to be in great demand. In appearance, it was no different from the classic. The only difference was the inner shell of the medallion, made of porcelain, to which the chewing gum did not stick.
In such medallions, women could hide their “toy”, noticing the approaching men, to later get it and continue to chew with a clear conscience and a spotless reputation.
8
Fay Tincher
Fey Tincher became famous not only as an actress, but also as the face of an advertising campaign for chewing gum. In the mid-10s, a joke was popular that the jaw of this girl seemed to be specially created in order to chew gum.
Ordinary Americans often lamented that for a comfortable life, all she had to do was chew gum. But this girl was not just a pretty model from advertising - she was a good comedic actress, and also achieved considerable success as a director.
In one of her roles, she played not a representative of bohemia, which at that time was extremely popular, but a simple woman with ordinary human desires, among which was a terrible craving for chewing gum. To get rid of the fame of a “girl with chewing gum,” Tincher began to wear men's outfits more often, saying in an interview that playing a guy in a comedy is much easier than chewing a whole pack of chewing gum.
9
Salvation from anxiety and excitement
At the beginning of the century, chewing gum was dubbed "the main enemy of anxiety." Now in the eyes of the public, she was not so much a bad habit as a way to get rid of excitement and bring her psychological state back to normal.
One of the American newspapers even published an article saying that chewing gum does not only save you from anxiety, but even treats depression and helps restore normal sleep.
According to doctors, in the process of chewing, a person simply can not be depressed or anxious thoughts overtaking them as soon as the jaw stops working. For this reason, doctors began to recommend chewing gum to their patients, as one of the means to calm the nervous system. Some people were so "diverged" that they suggested a positive effect of chewing gum on the process of improving humanity.
10
Globalization
While the influence of chewing gum slowly but surely "spread" across the territory of the United States of America, particularly enterprising businessmen began to think about its "expansion" to other parts of the globe. Someone immediately became infected with the chewing process, accepting the new product as a simple entertainment.
According to one of the Australian journalists, the hobby was so harmless and widespread that it was initially doomed to the discontent of conservatives who did not want to put up with jaws moving up and down.
England took it much more seriously. The upper strata of society have adopted the new product as an attempt to Americanize the British community. A law was passed prohibiting law enforcement officers from chewing gum in the workplace. A whole society was formed against the violation of police freedoms, advocating for the repeal of the law.
As a result
As you can see, a little more than 150 years have passed from the moment the first chewing gum was made. During this time, its popularity jumped to sky-high heights and remained at a moderate level, allowing manufacturing companies to receive millions of profits every year. However, disputes have still not abated, what is this: a harmless habit or a sign of bad taste!