An Accidental Invention for the Walls

In 1957, engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes set out to create a revolutionary new textured wallpaper. Their method involved sealing two plastic shower curtains together, inadvertently trapping air bubbles between the layers. Unfortunately for their initial vision, the concept of a bubbly, three-dimensional wallpaper didn't quite catch on with the public or interior designers.

A Brief Stint in Greenhouse Insulation

Undeterred by their initial failure, Fielding and Chavannes continued to explore uses for their unique material. They next attempted to market their invention as insulation for greenhouses, believing its trapped air pockets would be ideal for temperature control. While possessing insulating properties, this application also failed to gain significant traction, leaving the inventors searching for a purpose.

Finding Its True Calling with IBM

The pivotal moment for Bubble Wrap arrived in 1959 when a marketer for Sealed Air Corporation, Frederick Bowers, realized the material's potential to protect fragile items during shipment. In 1960, the inventors founded Sealed Air Corporation, and a year later, they secured their first major client: IBM. IBM needed a reliable way to safeguard their delicate 1401 mainframe computers during transit, and Bubble Wrap, then called 'Air Cap,' proved to be the perfect solution.

Debunking Common Myths

One common misconception is that Bubble Wrap was always designed for packaging; however, its journey from wallpaper to greenhouse insulation clearly shows its accidental discovery. Another myth suggests that larger bubbles inherently offer more protection. In reality, smaller, denser bubbles can often be more effective at absorbing shock and preventing movement for certain items. Also, many believe Bubble Wrap is a single-use product, but it is durable and can often be reused multiple times or recycled where facilities exist.