Image of a person blowing a bubble from gum
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
Engineering,

The History of Pop

CHEW ON THIS—people invented gum thousands of years ago!

By Alice Sun
From the October/November 2023 Issue

Students will ask and answer questions about the history and science of gum.

Lexile: 860L; 540L
Key Focus Area: Matter,
Other Focus Areas: Fractions & Decimals
Standards
  • NGSS
    Core Ideas: ETS1.A, ETS1.B, PS1.A
  • CCSS
    Reading: RI.3; Writing: W.9; Speaking and Listening: SL.6; Math: 3.MD.B.4, 3.NF.A.1
  • TEKS
    Science: 3.6A, 4.6A, 5.6A, 6.6B; ELA: 3.6B, 4.6B, 5.6B, 6.5B

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  • 540L
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540L

As you read, think about what problems materials like gum and resin can solve.

As you read, think about what problems materials like gum and resin can solve.

IMAGO HISTORY COLLECTION/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

A gum factory in 1910

Slip a piece of gum into your mouth. What do you notice? At first, the gum is hard and stiff. But with each chomp, it begins to transform. It turns soft and stretchy. Maybe you blow it into a bubble. It grows larger and larger until . . . pop!

Gum’s special properties are what make it so fun to chew. An average American gnaws on between 60 and 180 sticks of gum every year! How did this gum chewing craze begin?

The gum we chew today was invented by the ancient Maya, a group of Indigenous people who have long lived in Mexico and Central America. These early gum makers laid the foundation for today’s sticky, chewy treat.

Slip a piece of gum into your mouth. What do you notice? The gum is hard and stiff at first. But it changes with each chomp. It turns soft and stretchy. Maybe you blow it into a bubble. It grows larger and larger. Then . . . pop!

Gum has special properties. They are what make it so fun to chew. The average American chews a lot of gum every year. They chew between 60 and 180 sticks of gum! How did gum get so popular?

The ancient Maya invented the gum we chew today. They were a group of Indigenous people. They lived in Mexico and Central America. Their invention would become today’s chewy treat.

Lands of the Maya

 A group called the Maya has lived in this region for thousands of years.

 A group called the Maya has lived in this region for thousands of years.

JIM MCMAHON/MAPMAN®

How might a people’s home land influence the things they invent and the products they create?

How might a people’s home land influence the things they invent and the products they create?

Lands of the Maya

 A group called the Maya has lived in this region for thousands of years.

 A group called the Maya has lived in this region for thousands of years.

JIM MCMAHON/MAPMAN®

How might a people’s home land influence the things they invent and the products they create?

How might a people’s home land influence the things they invent and the products they create?

Gum’s Beginnings

4X5 COLLECTION/SUPERSTOCK

A child buys a gumball for a penny in the 1950s.

Humans have always loved to chew. So not surprisingly, gum dates back thousands of years, says Jennifer Mathews. She’s an archaeologist, a scientist who studies past human life and objects. Ancient humans used gum for the same reasons we use it today, says Mathews. They wanted to freshen their breath, clean their teeth, or maybe feel more relaxed.

Around the world, people made the first chewing gums out of resin. This sticky substance oozes out of some trees. Resin is made up of long chains of tiny particles. These long chains are what make resin so stretchy—and perfect for gnawing on.

People chewed resin from the trees that grew near their homes. Ancient Greeks chomped on resin from the mastic tree. Ancient Maya chewed a gum they called cha. It’s made from the resin of a tree found in Mexico called chicozapote (chee-koh-zuh-POH-tee). Today, people living in Mexico and Central America use the word chicle (CHEEK-lay) for cha.

Humans have always loved to chew. So it’s no surprise that gum dates back thousands of years, says Jennifer Mathews. She’s an archaeologist. That’s a scientist who studies past human life and objects. Ancient people used gum for the same reasons we do today, says Mathews. They wanted to freshen their breath. Or they used it to clean their teeth. Maybe chewing helped them feel more relaxed.

Around the world, people made the first chewing gums out of resin. This sticky stuff oozes out of some trees. Resin is made up of long chains of tiny particles. These long chains are what make resin so stretchy. And that’s why it’s perfect for chewing.

People chewed resin from trees. The trees grew near their homes. Ancient Greeks chewed on resin from the mastic tree. Ancient Maya chewed a gum they called cha. It comes from the resin of a tree found in Mexico. The tree is called chicozapote (chee-koh-zuh-POH-tee). Today people living in Mexico and Central America have a different name for this gum. They call it chicle (CHEEK- lay).

The Maya took gum making to the next level. “The Maya’s knowledge of the plants in the forest is unbelievable,” says Mathews. Thanks to that knowledge, the Maya figured out a process to turn resin into chewy gum.

 First, early gum makers climbed the trees to make zigzag cuts in the thick bark. They collected the resin that oozed out of the trees. Then they boiled it in a giant pot and molded it into rectangles. This practice is still done in parts of Central America today.

The Maya took gum making to the next level. “The Maya’s knowledge of the plants in the forest is unbelievable,” says Mathews. It is what helped the Maya figured out how to turn resin into chewy gum.

First, early gum makers climbed the trees. They made zigzag cuts in the thick bark. Resin dripped from the cuts. Gum makers collected it. Then they boiled the resin in a giant pot. They molded the boiled resin into rectangles. This is still done in parts of Central America today.

Making Gum

People in present-day Mexico make gum using a process invented by their Maya ancestors.

People in present-day Mexico make gum using a process invented by their Maya ancestors.

MARTHA PSKOWSKI 

1. Gum makers cut the bark of a special tree and collect the resin.

1. Gum makers cut the bark of a special tree and collect the resin.

MARTHA PSKOWSKI 

2. They boil the resin in a big pot until it thickens.

2. They boil the resin in a big pot until it thickens.

MARTHA PSKOWSKI 

3. Gum makers scoop out the gum and mold it into rectangles.

3. Gum makers scoop out the gum and mold it into rectangles.

Making Gum

People in present-day Mexico make gum using a process invented by their Maya ancestors.

People in present-day Mexico make gum using a process invented by their Maya ancestors.

MARTHA PSKOWSKI 

1. Gum makers cut the bark of a special tree and collect the resin.

1. Gum makers cut the bark of a special tree and collect the resin.

MARTHA PSKOWSKI 

2. They boil the resin in a big pot until it thickens.

2. They boil the resin in a big pot until it thickens.

MARTHA PSKOWSKI 

3. Gum makers scoop out the gum and mold it into rectangles.

3. Gum makers scoop out the gum and mold it into rectangles.

Making It Stick

In the 1850s, an American inventor named Thomas Adams tried to use chicle as a cheaper version of rubber. He tried to make all kinds of objects like boots and toys out of chicle, but his experiments failed.

Then Adams overheard a young girl ask for a gum made out of wax at a local store. But that gum wasn’t as chewy as chicle. This inspired Adams to roll chicle into small gumballs and sell them in the store. The gumballs quickly became popular. By the late 1800s, Adams started a company to produce his gum. The chewing gum industry in America was born!

By the 1950s, Americans’ love for gum was in full swing. But chicle harvesters could no longer keep up with the high demand. So scientists started making gum in the lab. Today gum consists of a mixture of human-made materials and sweeteners. This gives gum its smooth texture and tasty flavors.

Although the gum we chew today is very different from that of ancient peoples, Mathews believes it’s important to know where it comes from. “Gum is not just something fun to chew. It’s an invention of the Americas,” she says.

Thomas Adams was an American inventor. He tried to use chicle in the 1850s as a cheaper type of rubber. He tried to make all kinds of objects from chicle. They included boots and toys. But he failed.

Then Adams heard a young girl at a local store. She was asking for a wax-based gum. But that gum wasn’t as chewy as chicle. This gave Adams an idea. He rolled chicle into small gumballs. He sold them in the store. The gumballs quickly became popular. Adams started a company in the late 1800s. It made chicle-based gum. The chewing gum industry in America was born!

Americans’ love for gum was in full swing by the 1950s. But chicle harvesters couldn’t keep up with the demand. So scientists started making gum in the lab. Today gum is made of human-made materials and flavors. This gives gum its smooth texture and yummy taste.

The gum we chew today is very different from that of ancient peoples. Mathews believes it’s important to know where it comes from. “Gum is not just something fun to chew. It’s an invention of the Americas,” she says.

Incredible Innovations

In addition to gum, Indigenous groups across the Americas have been designing solutions to problems for thousands of years. Here are three things that were first made by Native Americans.

In addition to gum, Indigenous groups across the Americas have been designing solutions to problems for thousands of years. Here are three things that were first made by Native Americans.

KEREN SU/CHINA SPAN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Suspension Bridges
Inca, South America

Problem: People needed a way to cross canyons, gorges, and rivers.

Solution: The Inca wove ichu grass into long, thick ropes to build suspension bridges.

Suspension Bridges
Inca, South America

Problem: People needed a way to cross canyons, gorges, and rivers.

Solution: The Inca wove ichu grass into long, thick ropes to build suspension bridges.

HISTORIA/SHUTTERSTOCK

Kayaks
Inuit and Aleut, North America

Problem: People needed a safe way to travel over water.

Solution: The Inuit and Aleut built lightweight, easy-to-control boats made of animal hides. They stretched the hides over frames made of wood or whale bones.

Kayaks
Inuit and Aleut, North America

Problem: People needed a safe way to travel over water.

Solution: The Inuit and Aleut built lightweight, easy-to-control boats made of animal hides. They stretched the hides over frames made of wood or whale bones.

EAGOSTINI/GETTY IMAGES (INTUIT); WELLCOME COLLECTION (SNOW GOGGLES)

Snow Goggles
Inuit, North America

Problem: People can be blinded by harsh sunlight bouncing off snow.

Solution: The Inuit made wooden goggles that fit tightly over the face. The wearer sees through narrow slits, reducing the light hitting the eye.

Snow Goggles
Inuit, North America

Problem: People can be blinded by harsh sunlight bouncing off snow.

Solution: The Inuit made wooden goggles that fit tightly over the face. The wearer sees through narrow slits, reducing the light hitting the eye.

How did each of these innovations solve the problem?

How did each of these innovations solve the problem?

Incredible Innovations

In addition to gum, Indigenous groups across the Americas have been designing solutions to problems for thousands of years. Here are three things that were first made by Native Americans.

In addition to gum, Indigenous groups across the Americas have been designing solutions to problems for thousands of years. Here are three things that were first made by Native Americans.

KEREN SU/CHINA SPAN/ALAMY STOCK PHOTO

Suspension Bridges
Inca, South America

Problem: People needed a way to cross canyons, gorges, and rivers.

Solution: The Inca wove ichu grass into long, thick ropes to build suspension bridges.

Suspension Bridges
Inca, South America

Problem: People needed a way to cross canyons, gorges, and rivers.

Solution: The Inca wove ichu grass into long, thick ropes to build suspension bridges.

HISTORIA/SHUTTERSTOCK

Kayaks
Inuit and Aleut, North America

Problem: People needed a safe way to travel over water.

Solution: The Inuit and Aleut built lightweight, easy-to-control boats made of animal hides. They stretched the hides over frames made of wood or whale bones.

Kayaks
Inuit and Aleut, North America

Problem: People needed a safe way to travel over water.

Solution: The Inuit and Aleut built lightweight, easy-to-control boats made of animal hides. They stretched the hides over frames made of wood or whale bones.

EAGOSTINI/GETTY IMAGES (INTUIT); WELLCOME COLLECTION (SNOW GOGGLES)

Snow Goggles
Inuit, North America

Problem: People can be blinded by harsh sunlight bouncing off snow.

Solution: The Inuit made wooden goggles that fit tightly over the face. The wearer sees through narrow slits, reducing the light hitting the eye.

Snow Goggles
Inuit, North America

Problem: People can be blinded by harsh sunlight bouncing off snow.

Solution: The Inuit made wooden goggles that fit tightly over the face. The wearer sees through narrow slits, reducing the light hitting the eye.

How did each of these innovations solve the problem?

How did each of these innovations solve the problem?

Slideshows (1)
Activities (5) Download Answer Key
Question & Answer Sheets
Skills Activities
Your Literacy Kit
Step-by-Step Lesson Plan
Download the Lesson Plan

1. PREPARE TO READ (10 minutes)
Activate students’ prior knowledge about gum and have them ask questions about gum.

  • Project the article on the board, showing the opening image of a kid blowing bubble gum. Ask students to brainstorm words and phrases that describe gum. Conduct a quick think-pair-share: Have them think and then share their words and phrases with a partner, and then discuss their responses as a class. Let students use the What Do You Know? (KWLS chart) to record what they already know about gum in the “Know” section.
  • Ask: What questions do you have about gum? What do you want to know about gum? Have students record at least three things they want to know in the “Want to Know” section. Discuss students’ questions.

2. READ AND SUMMARIZE (25 minutes)
Explore gum’s properties and how gum has changed over time.

  • Preview the article’s vocabulary. Read pages 24-26 aloud as students follow along in their print magazine.
  • As you read, pause and discuss important points about gum’s properties (e.g., resin is sticky and stretchy; it’s made of long chains of particles) and how it changed over time (e.g., the Maya started boiling and shaping resin from trees).
  • Project the last page of the article, Incredible Innovations. Let students pick one innovation to read about. Have students share what they read with the class. Ask: Which one is your favorite invention? Why?

3. RESPOND TO READING (10 minutes)
Note what students have learned and what they still want to know about gum and its history.

  • Have students fill in the “Learn” section of the What Do You Know? (KWLS chart) independently and then find a partner to share their ideas with. Next, as a class, discuss the most important points they learned.
  • Circle back to their questions about gum. Which ones did the text answer? Which ones didn’t it answer? How can they find out answers to their remaining questions? Have students fill in the “Still Want to Know” section in the KWLS Chart.

STEM INTEGRATION

ENGINEERING: Choose a Design Challenge (NGSS: ETS1.A; ETS1.B; ETS1.C)  

Prepare materials for the Engineering Choice Board in advance, like yarn, tape, and craft sticks. Discuss how engineering can help solve problems, referring to examples from “Incredible Innovations” on page 27. Let students pick one prompt in the Choice Board to complete. Once they’re done, they can share their work in small groups.

SCIENCE: Investigate and Measure the Stretchiness of Gum (NGSS: PS1.A; CCSS Math: 3.MD.B.4)

How does gum change as it’s chewed? What affects how stretchy it is? Students can investigate these questions with the Gum Stretch Test hands-on activity. Be sure to use bubble gum for best results. For additional support, use the “Hands-on Slideshow: Gum Stretch Test” to guide students through the investigation.

MATH: Identify and Model Fractions (CCSS Math: 3.NF.A.1)

Distribute the Gumball Fractions activity. If needed, work through the “Need a Hand?” box as a class. Before students start the activity, you may share colored pencils so that students can shade in the models according to color. You will need the following colors: red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and pink.

STEM INTEGRATION

ENGINEERING: Choose a Design Challenge (NGSS: ETS1.A; ETS1.B; ETS1.C)  

Prepare materials for the Engineering Choice Board in advance, like yarn, tape, and craft sticks. Discuss how engineering can help solve problems, referring to examples from “Incredible Innovations” on page 27. Let students pick one prompt in the Choice Board to complete. Once they’re done, they can share their work in small groups.

SCIENCE: Investigate and Measure the Stretchiness of Gum (NGSS: PS1.A; CCSS Math: 3.MD.B.4)

How does gum change as it’s chewed? What affects how stretchy it is? Students can investigate these questions with the Gum Stretch Test hands-on activity. Be sure to use bubble gum for best results. For additional support, use the “Hands-on Slideshow: Gum Stretch Test” to guide students through the investigation.

MATH: Identify and Model Fractions (CCSS Math: 3.NF.A.1)

Distribute the Gumball Fractions activity. If needed, work through the “Need a Hand?” box as a class. Before students start the activity, you may share colored pencils so that students can shade in the models according to color. You will need the following colors: red, blue, yellow, green, purple, and pink.

Text-to-Speech