Book 26, Question 5 · Video
Why was bubble wrap first meant to be wallpaper?
In 1957, two inventors, Al Fielding and Marc Chavannes, sealed two plastic shower curtains together to make a bumpy wall covering. Nobody wanted it. Next, they tried it as greenhouse insulation, but that did not work either. Finally, a company realized the bubbles would be great at cushioning fragile things during shipping. A failed wallpaper became a famous packing material.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why was bubble wrap first meant to be wallpaper?
The Big Idea
Pop, pop, pop! Bubble wrap is fun to squeeze. But it was first meant to be wallpaper!
Wallpaper
Step one: Wallpaper. In 1957, inventors Al Fielding and Marc Chavannes sealed two plastic shower curtains together to make a bumpy wall covering. Nobody wanted it.
Greenhouse
Step two: Greenhouse. Next, they tried it as greenhouse insulation. That did not work either.
Packing
Step three: Packing. Finally, a company realized the bubbles would be great at cushioning fragile things during shipping. A failed wallpaper became a famous packing material.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Bubbles hold air. Air cushions bumps. It protects packages. Popping is fun.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! The air inside each bubble acts like a tiny cushion. They kept trying. Protects fragile things. Popping is fun.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Wrap one small toy in bubble wrap. Leave another unwrapped. Drop both onto a pillow-covered floor. Compare the sounds and bounces. Which one was better protected?
Outro
Bubble wrap was first meant to be wallpaper, then greenhouse insulation, but neither worked. It finally became famous for cushioning fragile packages. Never give up on an idea! Sometimes an invention just needs the right job. Trying again paid off. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!