National Chewing Gum Day
Use chewing gum to reduce stress, lose weight, or just enjoy the flavor in your mouth on National Chewing Gum Day!
History of National Chewing Gum Day
Most people don’t realize that chewing gum is not a new invention. In fact, the history of chewing gum goes back thousands of years, whether just for enjoyment, for keeping hunger at bay, or simply to enjoy the taste of fresh breath. This was often made in the form of boiled resin or wax, sometimes mixed with mint.
The first chewing gum to be developed commercially in the 1840s was called “The State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum”. In 1870, the Adams New York Chewing Gum Company sold gum in the flavor of sour orange as an after-dinner treat. While this one didn’t maintain popularity, the following year Adams created Black Jack, which is a licorice flavored gum that has continued to be manufactured off and on for more than 100 years.
Wrigley’s gum wasn’t far behind, in 1891. Wrigley’s started out as a soap and baking soda company, but they started giving out free packs of gum with every purchase. In an unexpected turn of events, the gum was more popular than the products so they began selling the gum on its own.
In 1928, Walter Diemer created a gum that was less sticky than others and worked very well for blowing bubbles. After some trials and tests, this gum was dyed pale pink and eventually became known as Dubble Bubble.
Advertising as a substitute for mouthwash or brushing the teeth, Dentyne was introduced in the mid-1950s. Then, chewing gum made another important step in its life when the first fully sugar free, tasty chewing gum was introduced in 1964, when it quickly became a household favorite.
Now, National Chewing Gum Day is celebrated in honor of this delightful treat that keeps mouths delightfully busy and fresh!
How to Celebrate National Chewing Gum Day
Enjoy the fun and celebration of National Chewing Gum Day with some of these ideas:
Grab and Share Some Chewing Gum
This is certainly the right time to chew gum – all day long. Grab a favorite flavor of gum at the local grocery or convenience store and then get started chewing! And since celebrations are more fun with others, be sure to buy some extra packs of gum to pass around the office, hand out to friends or offer a piece to a family member. After all, it’s National Chewing Gum Day!
Learn Some Fun Facts About Chewing Gum
In celebration of National Chewing Gum Day, here are some delightful bits of trivia that can be shared:
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Chewing gum helps to improve concentration. It can also promote the development of long-term as well as working memory.
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The country of Singapore has repeatedly tried to ban the use of chewing gum, with fines up to $6000 for its use.
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The first name for chewing gum that made bubbles was Blibber Blubber, but it eventually became the well known Dubble Bubble.
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People who chew gum while they are cutting and dicing onions may find that they are less likely to have tears or start crying.
