The Bubble Family Wrap

When it was first invented, bubble wrap was known as "Bubble Family All-Purpose Packaging and Shipping Wrap & Rheumatism Cure-All." Today, there is a myth that bubble wrap gets its name from the many airy bubbles that mottle its surface; this, however, is a mere coincidence - and a shame. Due to this misconception, the man behind the wrap has been long forgotten. Jebidiah Nathaniel Bubble (1844-1901), with the help of his brother, James Bubble, developed a sheepskin method of bubble wrap in 1876 at the tender age of 32. Recognizing the potential marketability of his new product, Bubble patented his work and began selling it wholesale as a packaging product as well as a cure to rheumatism. His largest customer was the United States Postal Service, until they realized that the wrap was in fact not a cure for rheumatism. It was at this point that they discontinued the use of the wrap as a "knee-girder," used to help keep mailmen's knees from growing inflamed or sore, and decided to use it for its secondary (although arguably principal) purpose of packaging wrap.

Today, bubble wrap is used mainly for packaging. Mainly, it keeps fragile objects from becoming damaged during the shipping process. Also, it should be noted that modern bubble wrap is made of plastic, as opposed to sheepskin. In 1952 it was discovered that plastic bubble wrap was better, in that it did not decompose during long shipments. Sheep were gleeful.

Important Info

Caution: despite its usefulness, bubble wrap is not always a safe material. It should not be used for the following things:

• Contraception
• Bandage
• Gasmask
• Hair-net
• Food

More importantly, however, is the fact that dogs must avoid bubble wrap at all times. If you own a dog, do not tease him with bubble wrap. Dogs are well aware of the fact that they lack the opposable thumbs that are necessary to manipulate objects, including bubble wrap.