Bubble wrap is one of the world's most iconic and beloved packaging materials. It has cushioned fragile products (and provided plenty of popping fun) since 1957. Bubble wrap is a unique combination of air bubbles and strong plastic film. Its air-filled pockets cushion against shock and vibration to ensure that whatever it's packed around stays safe until it reaches its destination. But have you ever wondered how bubble wrap came to be?
Bubble wrap's story began in 1957 with engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes. The two had been experimenting with creating a three-dimensional plastic wallpaper. To create their wall covering, they sealed two plastic shower curtains together and injected air between the sheets. The concept was intriguing but not quite what the home design market was looking for.
They took their concept to another potential application - greenhouse insulation. Despite a promising initial response, the packaged air still wasn’t deemed practical. Fielding and Chavannes stayed persistent and continued to tinker with the concept, working through 400 different ideas over the years. They finally struck gold with IBM, who wanted to use their air-packed sheets for packaging and cushioning the first IBM 1401 computers. Their product finally found its suitable application, and the product - which was now called bubble wrap - was born.
Today, bubble wrap protects items in almost every industry: electronics, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and more. It carries on its legacy as a simple yet ingenious invention that revolutionizes how we package our goods. Fielding and Chavannes' persistence, flexibility, and openness to explore various ideas paid off, and now bubble wrap is here to stay.
The same persistence should be present in our designs and innovations. Whether you are looking to bring a product to market or enhance your current work, you may find that your first several attempts fail. But by pushing on and trying again, you may find the inspiration to create something incredible - just like Fielding and Chavannes did with bubble wrap.
The next time you struggle to think of a potential use case for your idea, grab the nearest roll of bubble wrap and take heart! You never know when your next iteration may be the one that packs a punch.
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The Innovator's Handbook is your go-to guide to the essential steps of innovating. It is written for aspiring innovators and entrepreneurs, providing inspiring stories and practical exercises to help them reach their goals. At its core, the book provides readers with crucial insights into thinking differently, identifying problems, and using design thinking to create meaningful solutions.