Thomas Adams
Thomas Adams: The Inventor Behind Dubble Bubble Gum
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Thomas Wadsworth Adams was an American inventor and businessman who is best known for inventing the first mass-produced chewing gum, Dubble Bubble.
Birth and Death Dates
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Thomas Adams was born on April 2, 1818, in West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He passed away on June 21, 1895, at the age of 77.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Adams was an American inventor and businessman who held several patents related to chewing gum and other products.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in a family of modest means, Adams had little formal education. However, he was known for his inventive spirit and entrepreneurial drive from an early age. As a young man, he worked as a machinist's apprentice before moving on to various other jobs. In 1848, Adams married Elizabeth M. White, and the couple had two children together.
Major Accomplishments
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Adams' most notable achievement was the invention of Dubble Bubble chewing gum in 1889. He developed this product using a mixture of chicle (a natural latex sap) and cornstarch. The innovative combination made it possible to mass-produce the gum, which quickly became popular across North America.
Notable Works or Actions
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Adams' success with Dubble Bubble led him to establish his own company, Adams New York Gum Company, in 1892. He continued to innovate and experiment with new products throughout his career, holding over a dozen patents related to chewing gum and other inventions. Despite facing financial struggles and setbacks, Adams persevered and remained committed to his vision for the future of chewing gum.
Impact and Legacy
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Thomas Adams' invention of Dubble Bubble had a significant impact on popular culture, making chewing gum a staple in everyday life for millions of people. His innovative approach to mass-producing gum paved the way for other entrepreneurs and inventors to follow in his footsteps. Today, Wrigley's (a subsidiary of Mars, Inc.) remains one of the largest manufacturers of chewing gum in the world, with Dubble Bubble still being a beloved brand.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Adams is widely quoted and remembered for his innovative spirit, perseverance, and dedication to developing new products that improve people's lives. His legacy serves as an inspiration to entrepreneurs, inventors, and anyone interested in making a meaningful impact on society through their work.
As the inventor behind one of the most iconic chewing gum brands, Thomas Adams' contributions to American culture are undeniable. Through his tireless efforts, he transformed a humble product into a ubiquitous part of modern life, earning him a lasting place in history as a true pioneer in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Quotes by Thomas Adams
Thomas Adams's insights on:

A drunkard is the annoyance of modesty, the trouble of civility, the spoil of wealth, the distraction of reason. He is the brewer’s agent, the tavern and alehouse benefactor, the beggar’s companion, the constable’s trouble, his wife’s woe, his children’s sorrow, his neighbours scoff, his own shame.

The covetous man is like a camel with a great hunch on his back; heaven’s gate must be made Higher and broader, or he will hardly get in.

Death is as near to the young as to the old; here is all the difference: death stands behind the young man’s back, before the old man’s face.


Grace comes into the soul, as the morning sun into the world; first a dawning, then a light; and at last the sun in his full and excellent brightness.




