Bubble Wrap

Bubble wrap is a pliable transparent plastic sheet filled with regularly spaced air bubbles, used chiefly to cushion fragile items during shipping. It was created in 1957 by Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes, who were originally trying to develop a three dimensional plastic wallpaper, a product that did not sell. Fielding went on to co-found Sealed Air Corporation in 1960 to market the material once its packaging use became clear, and one of its earliest large scale commercial uses came that same year when IBM shipped its new 1401 computers cushioned in the material. Beyond its practical use in shipping, bubble wrap has become known for the satisfying sound of popping its bubbles and is now also marketed as a simple stress relieving novelty.