Chewing Gum

The chewing gum is one of the earliest existing candies in the world. In the early days, people chewed a kind of substance (product) made from tree resin (liquid compound found in plants). They chewed this kind of gum as an after-dinner candy,either to clean their teeth or to freshen their breath.

The invention of the chewing gum began when a Mexican former general, Santa Anna, met with an American, Thomas Adams in Staten Island,New York. Anna introduced chicle (a kind of gum-like substance) to Adams,who tried to make toys,maks and main boots out of the substances,all of which failed.

One day,whilst at his workshop,feeling demotivated and exhausted. Adam decided to give a piece of the substance a taste and liked it. While chewing on the substance, he had an idea of adding flavour to it. Later, he successfully created a locorice-flavoured gum, but the gun could not hold the flavour for long.

 

In 1880,a man named William White tried adding peppermint as flavouring to the gum, and the flavour stayed during the chewing process. Other flavourings such as sugar and corn syrup were eventually added to the gum.

In the early 1950s, sugar-tree gums were introduced. These mint-flavoured and sugariess gums were often suggested for teeth-cleaning or as a means to relieve stress. Today, people of all ages continue to chew these gums.

In time, with improved methods of manufacturing packaging and advertising, modern chewing gums have increased in popularity.

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Food for Thought :

The journey towards invention requires one to always keep an open mind, to constantly observe, be imaginative and creative, and to explore new innovative ideas.

Short Stories on Discoveries, Inventions, Innovation & Creativity

AAET and UTAR, 2015

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