Petroleum Products: Gum

The gum wall in Seattle, Washington is covered with thousands of pieces of gum. (Photo courtesy of beforeitsnews.com)

By Chelsea Reinhard | Oct. 2, 2013 3:27 pm

Traditionally, chewing gum was made from tree saps, but since that’s not the case today, what makes a gum gummy?

Well, if you read the package, you’ll find an ingredient listing for ‘gum base’, and if you’ve ever wondered why your mom always told you not to swallow your gum, it’s probably because this chewy base is commonly made from plastics and rubbers derived from petroleum.

That’s right, even your chewing and bubble gums are made from petroleum-based polymers.

Here, a link to a Youtube video for Discovery's How It's Made: Bubble Gum

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7dGRz7Evd0

Recommended for You

Log in or register to post comments
Printer-friendly version

Rants

You're joking, right?

by Zach Last Name
Oct 03, 2013 8:10 am CDT

Energy industry appreciation month? Give me a break.
How about acknowledge something legitimate for October???
This list comes from wikipedia, which did not include the energy industry for some reason:
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
National Liver Cancer Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month
National Book Month
National Work and Family Month
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Dr. McGillicuddy Month
National CyberSecurity Awareness Month
Filipino American History Month
LGBT History Month
National Bullying Prevention Month
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month
National Youth Justice Awareness Month
Spina Bifida Awareness Month
National Pregnancy and Child Loss Awareness Month
Dwarfism Awareness Month