Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day

Air bubble wrap is widely used to pack and transport fragile items, but for many people, it also serves as an excellent stress reliever. Few know that there is actually a holiday dedicated to this invention—Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

History

Cellophane film was created by accident, the result of work by engineers Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes. Originally, they planned to invent a textured plastic wallpaper, as plastic was considered one of the most popular materials of the 1960s. The wall covering was supposed to be resistant to external influences, and the first batch was made by hand. However, the initial customer was not impressed by the product.

Fielding didn’t give up and soon found a new use for their creation. Bubble wrap entered mass production in the 1960s, finding its niche as a packaging material. The story behind the holiday is just as entertaining: a batch of microphones arrived at a radio station wrapped in bubble wrap. While unpacking, the DJs noticed the amusing sound the wrap made. They enjoyed it so much that they decided to establish Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day.

Interesting Facts

1. This holiday was created to honor bubble wrap producers. Without bubble wrap, moving fragile items would be much more difficult, and the risk of damage during transport would be higher. Delivery companies trust bubble wrap to keep shipments safe.
2. Bubble wrap is often used in film production. It helps fill bags and backpacks to make them appear full while remaining lightweight.
3. Artist Bradley Hart creates unique paintings using bubble wrap. He injects each bubble with colored paint using a syringe, turning packaging material into works of art.

How to Take Part

If you aren’t planning a move and don’t have anything fragile at home, you can still find a way to have fun with bubble wrap. Popping the bubbles is an easy and effective way to relieve stress. The rolls can be several meters long, giving you plenty of bubbles to pop and enjoy the satisfying sound.

When is Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day in 2026?

Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day is observed on the last Monday of January each year.

Observations