Three Things You Probably Don't Know About Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is perhaps the most common of supplies used for packaging fragile items during a move. This is attributed to the fact that the packaging material has the ability to absorb shock/impact that would otherwise be transmitted to fragile household items.
You might have used bubble wrap in different situations, or you might be planning to use it as a packaging material for the first time. Whichever the case, here are three interesting facts you probably don't know about the said packaging material.
It Wasn't Originally Invented For Protective Packaging
This sounds strange if not ironical. Despite its widespread use and popularity as a packaging material, the individuals credited with its invention had a textured wallpaper in mind when they 'accidentally' created bubble wrap.
The prototype for the textured wallpaper was created using two shower curtains that were sealed together. Sealing was done to capture air bubbles that would be responsible for the textured effect.
In 1959, an employee of Sealed Air--the company that produces bubble wrap--pitched the idea of using the material as protective packaging for IBM computers that had been invented at the time and were to be shipped to the various points of sale. The pitch was given an enthusiastic reception, and IBM computers were the first products to benefit from the protective packaging ability of bubble wrap.
Virtual Bubble Wrap
Bubble wrap is a great source of fun thanks to the popping sound that's produced when the bubbles are raptured. Apparently, popping these bubbles is so much fun that there are websites that provide virtual bubble wrap programs. The sites provide a virtual sheet of the packaging material and users get to pop the bubbles by clicking on them.
Perhaps to emphasize just how much fun bubble wrap can be, there's an electronic toy that provides a simulation of bubble wrap being popped. The toy goes by the name Mugen Puchipuchi, and it's increasingly referred to as the infinite bubble wrap.
However, you should resist the temptation to pop those bubbles before you've packaged your fragile items because this will affect their effectiveness as protective packaging.
Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
Yes, there's a whole day set aside to appreciate bubble wrap every year. This happens to be the last Monday in the month of January every year.
Activities for bubble wrap appreciation day include:
- Bubble wrap popping competitions
- Bubble wrap fashion design contests
- Bubble wrap sculpting
For those who may not fancy the mentioned activities, taking the time to appreciate the convenience that this packaging material provides should suffice.