From Wallpaper Dreams to Protective Packaging: Origin of Bubble Wrap and Its Modern Uses
Have you ever considered what actually led to the invention of bubble wrap? One might think that it is meant for protecting the fragile items from getting damaged and therefore possibly was invented for the same purpose. But there’s a surprise waiting for you here. These bubble wraps that you see today were never meant for the purpose of cushioning the fragile items and protecting them from getting damaged. These were actually an accidental invention. Let’s look at the story behind how these bubble wraps came into being and especially how they ended up in the packaging industry if they were not made to serve the purpose.
The Story of the Making of the Bubble Sheets
It was in 1957 when two American engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, came up with an idea to create a wallpaper for the modern home—quite different from the existing ones. They made a wallpaper using two shower curtains by sealing them together. This enabled them to trap pockets of air in between the two sheets. This experiment was to make a futuristic-looking wall covering that would be loved by contemporary homeowners who would love to install these bubbly air pockets on their walls inside the house. Unfortunately, the idea flopped—no one wanted bubbly plastic lining their living room walls, and this led to a successful inception of an idea, although a failed mission.
But the two engineers, Fielding and Chavannes, did not give up and tried to find a way to utilise their invention. They saw potential in their invention and realised that the air trapped in between the two sheets can act as cushioning and protect items from getting damaged in case of jerks or accidents. In 1960, they founded Sealed Air Corporation, and bubble wrap soon started to be produced in large masses. Luckily, in those days IBM was in search of a reliable way to ship their delicate computers, and what could have been better than wrapping them up in a large roll of bubble wrap and then packing them inside cardboard boxes!
Bubble Wrap’s Rise in the World of Packaging
Today, following the legacy, almost all kinds of fragile items are shipped in cardboard boxes of various kinds, but one thing that stays constant throughout the world is the essential wrapping of the items in bubble wrap, which ensures that the items do not get damaged while they are in transit.
Almost all kinds of businesses use these wraps today and ensure the safety of the items that they are shipping. If you are someone residing in the UK, then there are a lot of packaging companies that can help you with different kinds of packaging materials, including bubble wrap. Packaging Midlands is one such store selling the best-in-class packaging materials, and the best part is that they get your products delivered to you right at your doorstep. All you need to do is go through their website and see the different kinds of packaging materials, including various types of bubble wrap, that they have. Purchase the items, and rest assured that you will receive them in the best condition possible.
Why We Still Love Bubble Wrap: Uses Beyond Shipping
While it’s most commonly used for shipping fragile items, bubble wrap’s utility expands beyond it. You can also use these bubble wraps for various other purposes. Let’s have a look at a few of them.
- Insulation and Temperature Control
Bubble wrap is a surprisingly effective thermal insulator. In countries like the UK, where the winters are extreme, the farmers use this bubble wrap to line their greenhouses to ensure that the vegetation remains insulated and protected from the biting cold. - Creative Projects and Education
Kids use it for a variety of DIY projects. SUPW and other such methods ensure that the kids make the most of these discarded items and make something useful and productive that can be used to serve various other purposes. - Moving and Storage Solutions
When moving house, a large roll of bubble wrap is essential for wrapping dishes, electronics, picture frames, and heirlooms. Unlike paper or foam, bubble wrap provides both cushioning and visibility—so you can see what’s wrapped without unsealing everything.
Summing Up
To sum up, the creation of these bubble wrap rolls was purely accidental. They were an accidental discovery, but today, they have found their usage in various things ranging from keeping the fragile items safe to the kids’ classrooms; the uses are endless. These wraps are available in different sizes, which include different lengths of the rolls and different sizes of the bubbles. Additionally, you can also get the custom packaging in the UK with the help of Packaging Midlands. You can order one and have it delivered to your door in a few days.
