He blew away the competition: the bubblegum record no one’s been able to pop
Chad Fell (USA) has held a Guinness World Records title for over 20 years, and still no one has been able to burst his bubble.
On 24 April 2004, Chad had a pop at making history by claiming the record for largest bubblegum bubble blown.
He completed his attempt at the Double Springs High School in his hometown of Winston County, Alabama.
After much contemplation of the best tactic to guarantee a large bubble, he began by chewing the gum until he felt that it was the correct consistency. Chad then started the second step in the process; actually blowing the bubble.
He did this very slowly to ensure it would continue to grow rather than burst. When the moment came, he didn’t choke, and the bubble grew until it got to an incredible 50.8 cm (20 in) - that’s bigger than a bowling ball, or even a car steering wheel!
Chad, who took ‘go big or go home’ very seriously, managed to gain the title completely hands-free, which is actually required to qualify for the record.
His key to success was using three pieces of Dubble Bubble gum, a brand known for creating gum specifically for bubble blowing. He recalls that chewing it for at least 15 minutes is an essential step to reduce the sugar content, which can affect the texture and elasticity of the gum. He also discovered that the bubble can inflate better when the weather is warmer, making the gum more flexible.
Could you imagine yourself blowing a history worthy bubble? Well, there are some key points to keep in mind if you want to have a go yourself.
The bubble must be blown in a controlled environment, it must be documented with video evidence, and once blown, it has to be held for five seconds. The diameter or the bubble must be measured in centimetres or inches, and you must specify the type of gum being used, along with how many pieces.
The gum-believable moment has inspired many people to attempt blowing big bubbles and has drawn attention to the skill and effort that goes into bubblegum blowing. Despite the many people keen to gum for his glory, Chad still holds his Guinness World Records title two decades on.