Bubble Wrap


                                            Source: Adapted from today.com, (2008)

Aside from cardboard boxes, Bubble Wrap is one of the most popular packaging materials today. Surprisingly, it wasn't invented for packaging purposes at all. The inventors had no idea their material would be used in the shipping industry. In 1957, two engineers, Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding, invented the Bubble Wrap (Kindy, 2019).

Chavannes and Fielding invented Bubble Wrap to be used as textured wallpaper. Today, one of the most popular packaging materials was initially created to be an alternative to the traditional wallpaper. To invent Bubble Wrap, Chavannes and Fielding used two pieces of a plastic shower curtain and sealed them together by passing them through a hot-sealing machine. The two inventors attempted to develop a machine that creates plastic wallpaper with a paper backing. However, the machine just made plastic sheets with air bubbles trapped between them. The plastic wallpaper didn't attract much attention and thus didn't sell well. Lucky for us, the inventors did not stop there.

After failing to introduce Bubble Wrap as a wallpaper, the inventors attempted to sell it as a material for greenhouse insulation. Even though Bubble Wrap could aid in insulation, it was ineffective compared to other materials. Once again, the idea didn't take off since it failed to attract the market's attention.

Three years after the invention of Bubble Wrap, Frederick Bowers suggested using the material for packaging. Bowers got the idea when IBM announced it had produced the new 1401 computer, and he realized Bubble Wrap could be used to protect the fragile machine during shipment. He voiced his idea and demonstrated it to IBM. Soon, IBM was using the material to protect its computers and accessories during shipping, thus opening the door for other businesses to also use Bubble Wrap for packaging and shipping. Small packaging companies were impressed by the new technology. Previously, packaging companies used balled-up newsprint to protect items during shipment. Newspapers were messy because ink often rubbed off on products and package handlers and wasn't very effective in offering protection.   

Bubble Wrap continued to grow, becoming an essential tool in the shipping industry. Bubble Wrap is today a popular material used to pack and ship goods. Bubble Wrap is now produced in various types, designs, and styles, earning hundreds of millions of dollars each year. I am sure its inventors are proud of their 'failed' invention, starting as wallpaper and now being used by billions of people worldwide to keep their items safe during transport or shipping.  

Economic forces supported the invention of the Bubble Wrap. Bubble Wrap can be reused multiple times. Newspapers were initially used to protect products during shipment. However, these newspapers rubbed off their ink on products, thus becoming messy. These newspapers could not be reused for shipment.  Bubble Wrap can be reused several times for shipment unless it has been damaged significantly. Bubble Wrap's reusability makes it a cheaper alternative to newspapers.

Ethical forces also supported Bubble Wrap's invention. Once Bubble Wrap has been used, it can be reused and recycled. Bubble Wrap is made using an eco-friendly packaging material, making it appropriate for recycling. It can be used severally to protect items during shipping. Bubble Wrap's eco-friendly packaging has been embraced by people interested in protecting the environment. 

Tea bags

                                    Source: Adapted from theguardian.com, (2008)

A cup of tea has become a basic part of our lives and culture. Over 160 million Americans drink tea every day. Tea bags are small, porous pouches containing dried leaves or herbs that are immersed in hot water to brew tea.  Tea was initially made in large pots by pouring hot water over some tea leaves. So, what created the need for tea bags? Convenience was a big factor. It is easier to use a teabag than to brew fresh tea leaves whenever you want to make a cup of tea. Tea bags made it possible to provide tea in aircraft and offices. Tea bags have been revolutionary to our drinking habits. Who was behind the invention of tea bags?

In 1908, Sullivan sent out tea samples to his customers. He filled tea in silk pouches and sent out these samples. His idea was that he wanted to use a convenient and less expensive way of sending small samples of quality tea to his customers. Metal tins were initially popular but were heavy and were more expensive. Sullivan, therefore, decided to use small silken bags to send tea samples to customers. Back then, metal infusers were used for brewing. So, when Sullivan sent the pouches, his customers assumed the silken bags were meant to be put in boiling water. Instead of removing the tea leaves, Sullivan's customers simply put the silken bags filled with tea in hot water because it was convenient, and the silken bags didn't affect the tea flavors. The customers also felt it was easier to brew tea when kept in the silk bags. It also made it easier to clean the brewing pot.

People later wanted a better material for their tea bags because the silken bags were too fine. Sullivan then replaced silk bags with gauze, which became very popular. Sullivan received very large orders, with many customers insisting on the tea being sent in small gauze bags. Sullivan's idea led to greater sales and reduced packaging costs. These tea bags became very popular in the US, with many tea companies imitating the concept. The invention of the teabag has effectively served two purposes, it created convenience in making tea and minimized wastage of tea leaves. Tea drinkers can quickly make a cup of tea with the teabag containing the appropriate amount of tea leaves. The invention of tea bags also eliminated the need to make tea in large quantities.

There are many types of tea bags today. Reusable tea bags are popular among tea drinkers because they are sustainable and eco-friendly. Tea companies also use different materials such as filter paper and cotton muslin to make tea bags. Although tea bags have faced several changes in branding, they still serve the same purpose. Tea bags are convenient in the modern world and minimize the mess associated with traditional brewing methods (Gupta, 2015). Tea leaves containing whole leaves usually have a better flavor and provide various health benefits.

Economic forces supported the invention of the teabag. People initially made tea by pouring hot water over some tea leaves in a pot, wasting some tea leaves in the process. Tea bags effectively eliminated the wastage of tea leaves by ensuring the required amount of tea leaves was used to make each cup of tea. It also eliminated the challenge of making excessive quantities of tea because people could measure the quantities they required.

Local factors also supported the tea bag's invention. The American people welcomed the invention with open arms, with many preferring tea bags to make their tea. This led to the great demand for tea bags. On the other hand, the British didn't immediately embrace the invention. They felt tea bags lost some of the tea's flavor. Tetley Company was influential in promoting tea bags in the UK. The company was successful, and the British population has gradually accepted the bags. A survey conducted in 2020 revealed Britons consume 61 billion tea bags annually (Begley, 2015). 


References

Begley, S. (2015). A Brief History of the Tea Bag. Retrieved from

https://time.com/3996712/a-brief-history-of-the-tea-bag/

Gupta, A. (2015). The Accidental Tea Bag: Ever Wondered Who Invented the Tea Bag?

https://food.ndtv.com/food-drinks/the-accidental-tea-bag-ever-wondered-who-invented-the-tea-bag-1738264

Kindy, D. (2019). The Accidental Invention of Bubble Wrap. Retrieved from

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/accidental-invention-bubble-wrap-180971325/

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