The origins of commercial chewing gum can be traced back to the 1840s when it was initially made from chicle, a natural gum derived from the sap of the sapodilla tree, native to Central America. The ancient Mayans and Aztecs were among the first to harvest and chew this substance, primarily to clean their teeth and freshen their breath. The practice was later adopted by the indigenous peoples in North America and eventually caught the attention of entrepreneurs in the United States.
In 1848, John Curtis developed and sold the first commercial chewing gum, called "State of Maine Pure Spruce Gum," which was made from the resin of spruce trees rather than chicle. However, it was Thomas Adams, a New Yorker, who recognized the potential of chicle after a failed attempt to use it as a rubber substitute. In 1869, after experimenting with various formulations, Adams created a chicle-based gum which he named "Adams New York No. 1." This marked the beginning of commercial chicle gum in the United States.
As the popularity of chewing gum grew, manufacturers experimented with various flavors and ingredients. By the late 19th century, a number of gum brands had emerged, and the product had become widely popular across the United States. William Wrigley Jr., another significant figure in the history of chewing gum, began by selling soap and baking powder in the 1890s and offered gum as a promotional giveaway. Realizing the potential of the gum, Wrigley started to focus exclusively on producing and marketing it, introducing flavors like Juicy Fruit and Spearmint, which rapidly became favorites.
Over the decades, the chewing gum industry continued to evolve, introducing various innovations such as sugar-free options and a range of new flavors. Today, chewing gum is enjoyed by people worldwide and remains a staple in contemporary snacking cultures, far removed from its primary functions of teeth cleaning and breath freshening practiced by the ancient civilizations. The journey from chicle to modern gum encapsulates a fascinating intersection of culture, innovation, and business.
