Bubble wrap is a pliable transparent plastic material commonly used for packing fragile items. Regularly spaced, protruding air-filled hemispheres ("bubbles") provide cushioning for precious or breakable items. The term is a trademark of the Sealed Air Corporation, and should theoretically only be used for products of that company; the generic term for material of this type is air cellular cushioning material, although bubble wrap is rapidly becoming a genericized trademark.

Bubble Wrap was created by two engineers, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes , in 1957. Like many innovations, it was accidental: The two were trying to create a textured plastic wallpaper with paper backing that could be easily cleaned.

The bubbles which provide the cushioning for fragile or sensitive objects are generally available in different sizes, depending on the size of the object being packed, as well as the level of cushioning protection that is needed. They can be as small as 1/4 inch in diameter, to as large as an inch or more, to provide added levels of shock absorption during transit. In addition to the degree of protection available from the size of the air bubbles in the plastic, the plastic material itself can offer some forms of protection for the object in question. For example, when shipping sensitive electronic parts and components, a type of bubble-wrap is used that employs an anti-static plastic that dissipates static charges, thereby protecting the sensitive electronic chips from static which can damage them.

Bubble Wrap is used by some as a distracting amusement or stress relieving activity. These people enjoy popping the plastic bubbles and listening to the sound that makes. This practice has even spawned a website in which one can move the mouse cursor over "virtual bubble wrap" and hear it pop.

External links

• Sealed Air Corporation
• Pop bubbles online
• The original online bubblewrap
• Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day