Read on Twitter
Bubble Yum, then and now. Pictured here is an unopened 15-cent pack of the very first “soft chunk” bubblegum brand, Bubble Yum - along with a contemporary pack of the same. Developed by asking kids at at newsstands and retail stores what they would want from a dream bubblegum...
it was ultimately formulated using those notes by the talented food scientists of BeechNut-Lifesavers. Launched nationwide by the Lifesavers company in 1975, it quickly became their cash cow, selling out everywhere and upending the traditional bubblegum market...
with its big flavor and quick-to-chew “soft chunk” style. As one of the most successful product launches of the decade, it soon inspired copycat products with competitive soft chunk products like Hubba Bubba, Bubblicious and more...
It even inspired a viral rumor (likely propagated by a competitor) that spider eggs were found in the product - requiring Lifesavers to take out full page newspaper ads debunking it. Excitement around the brand led to kids scalping Bubble Yum in school (I did that myself).
There were ads, tv commercials, bubble blowing contests and there was merchandise, with Bubble Yum’s iconic logo t-shirts being one of their most popular premiums. Original flavor Bubble Yum was soon followed by Grape, then Tropical Punch (my childhood favorite) and Spearmint...
...all introduced before 1980. Bubble Yum Spearmint flavor was a surprise as it ended up selling quite well to adult women at the time, which was not at all the target demographic for the brand. Bubble Yum and other soft chunk bubblegum brands would continue to drive...
the category well into the 1990’s, but changes in consumer preferences would see them reduced in prominence through the turn of the century to today. And while not the superstar players they once were, Bubble Yum (now made by @HersheyCompany ) is still a solid seller and...
continues to be a great product for a delicious, big bubble experience. Do you love Bubble Yum or have any memorable Bubble Yum stories? #candy #bubblegum #softchunk #softchunkbubblegum #bubblegumhistory #candyhistory #bubbleyum #bubblicious
