culture
In 1957 two engineers sealed air between two shower curtains, hoping to sell something stylish for the home.
Bubble wrap was originally invented in 1957 by two engineers trying to create a textured, three-dimensional wallpaper by sealing air between two shower curtains, hoping it would catch on as a stylish home decoration. That specific product never took off, but the engineers soon recognized their air-filled sheets made excellent protective cushioning, and it was quickly repurposed for shipping instead.
It was never designed as a pool float, and while it eventually became famous purely as packaging material, that use came second, after its original failed attempt as a wallpaper product, rather than being the initial idea behind the invention.
Bubble wrap's popping bubbles have taken on a life beyond packaging too, studies on the appeal of popping bubble wrap have linked the activity to modest stress relief, and it has even inspired dedicated smartphone apps that simulate the same satisfying pop without any actual plastic.
culture
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