How was gum invented?

Chewing gum is not a modern invention. Its history can be traced back thousands of years. In fact, the earliest known chewing gum dates back to the times of the ancient Greeks. They used the resin of the mastic tree, which is native to the Mediterranean region. The resin was considered a delicacy and was used to mask bad breath, prevent tooth decay, and whiten teeth.

Over time, other cultures adopted the practice of chewing gum. The Mayans and Aztecs of Central America used the gum of the sapodilla tree, while the Native Americans of North America used the resin of the spruce tree. In the 19th century, chewing gum became more widely available due to the invention of vulcanized rubber. This allowed for the mass production of gum, and soon it became a popular treat around the world.

Nowadays, chewing gum is made from a variety of synthetic ingredients, including sugar, corn syrup, flavoring agents, and gum base. Gum base is a mixture of polymers and resins that give gum its chewy texture. The most common gum base ingredients include chicle, a natural gum obtained from the sapodilla tree, and synthetic polymers such as polyisobutylene and styrene-butadiene rubber.