Most Popular Stress Reliever Turns 50

It seems that everyone who gets their hands on a piece of bubble wrap can’t help but popping a bubble or two, producing that magic sound. A few get satisfied with only a couple of bubbles and usually throw the wrap away only when the entire thing is destroyed.

Photo: Most Popular Stress Reliever Turns 50

This might be the main reason that makes this packing material incredibly popular. Sometimes it even overshadows its main function, which is to preserve fragile items. On the other hand, if it was not for its wonderful packing qualities, the wonder-wrap would have not been out there.

Bubble wrap was invented back in 1957. Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding first created it as new type of wall paper. The invention did not take off. The innovators then thought that magic bubbles could be used as a safe packing material. In January, 1960, the two friends founded a company Sealed Air, and patented Bubble Wrap. Now it is produced at a massive scale, bringing 4 billion dollars of profit annually.

Many countries hold popping competitions. Because bubble wrap makes a recognizable "popping" sound when compressed and punctured, it can be used as a source of amusement and to alleviate stress. Acknowledging this alternative use, some websites provide a "virtual bubble wrap" program which displays a sheet of bubble wrap that users may "pop" by clicking on the bubbles. "Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day" is celebrated on the last Monday of January.

Komsomolskaya Pravda