The Biggest Bubblegum Bubble Ever Blown!
In the world of bubblegum, there are casual chewers, and then there are the epic bubble blowers. These are the people who take their bubblegum seriously, who chew with a purpose, and who strive to create the biggest, most impressive bubbles possible. Among these bubble blowers, two legends stand out: Chad Fell, who holds the Guinness world record for the largest hands-free bubble, and Susan Williams, who holds the record for hands-assisted bubble size (and who also got arrested for being a total bubblegum rebel).
Chad: The Man Behind the Bubble
Chad Fell hails from Winston County, Alabama, a place known for its natural beauty and small-town charm. (There’s also a city named “Booger Tree” in that county!) On April 24, 2004, it became known for something else: the home of the world’s largest bubblegum bubble.
Chad, a man with a passion for bubblegum and a knack for blowing bubbles, decided to take on a challenge that would put Winston County on the map. At Double Springs High School, Chad blew a bubblegum bubble with a diameter of 50.8 cm (20 inches) without using his hands.
The secret to his success, Chad revealed, was blowing with three pieces of Dubble Bubble gum. This brand, known for its long-lasting flavor and excellent bubble-blowing capabilities, was the perfect choice for Chad’s record-breaking attempt. Dubble Bubble also happens to be the world’s first successful bubblegum!
The Record-Breaking Bubble
The day of the attempt was filled with anticipation. Chad, armed with his Dubble Bubble gum, set out to make history. He chewed the gum for a while, working it until it was just the right consistency. Then he began to blow. Slowly but surely, the bubble began to grow — bigger and bigger, until it reached an astonishing 50.8 cm in diameter. The crowd watched in awe as Chad blew the biggest bubblegum bubble the world had ever seen. And he did it all without using his hands.
The Record Still Stands
Chad’s incredible feat remains unbeaten to this day. Here is the official Guinness World Record page for it. His hands-free approach (required to qualify for the record) has left many in awe and inspired others to try breaking his record. So far, no one has managed to outdo Chad’s impressive 50.8 cm bubble.
Tips for Blowing Big Bubbles
If you’re looking to blow a record-setting bubble like Chad, keep a few tips in mind:
- Chew the gum for about 15 minutes before attempting a bubble. This reduces the sugar content, which can affect elasticity.
- Chew the gum on one side of your mouth, like a cow.
- Blowing bubbles is often easier when the weather is hot, as the gum becomes more pliable. Advantage: Arizona!
- Use multiple pieces of gum. Chad uses three pieces of Dubble Bubble. Experiment with different amounts and types to see what works for you.
The Impact of Chad’s Record
Chad’s record has had a real impact on the world of bubblegum! It has inspired countless others to try blowing big bubbles, and it brought attention to the art of bubble blowing. It also brought a sense of pride to the people of Winston County, who can proudly say their town is home not only to a Dollar General store, but also to the world’s largest bubblegum bubble.
Will This Record Ever Be Broken?
While Chad’s record still stands 20 years later, it’s only a matter of time before some big-mouthed hotshot with incredible bubble-blowing skills breaks it — maybe it will be you! Plus, new gum bases are being developed all the time, and perhaps a super-bubble will someday be made. No matter what happens, Chad’s record will always be remembered as a significant milestone in the history of bubble blowing.
So You Want To Break This Record?
Here’s what you need to know about the official Guinness bubble gum bubble rules, if you want to break this one:
- You can’t steady the bubble with your hands or touch it at all.
- The type of gum and number of pieces used must be specified. Chad used 3 pieces of Dubble Bubble.
- The bubble’s diameter must be measured in centimeters or inches.
- The bubble must be blown in a controlled environment.
- The attempt must be documented with video evidence, and the measurement of the diameter must be clearly shown.
- You have to hold the bubble for 5 seconds.
Susan Williams: The Biggest Assisted Bubblegum Bubble Ever Blown
There’s someone else you should know about: Susan Montgomery Williams of Fresno, California. She blew the biggest bubblegum bubble ever using her hands to steady it — 58.4 cm, or 22.9 inches (8 cm larger than Chad’s bubble), on July 19, 1994. She had an interesting technique: she could blow a bubble inside another bubble, and could even talk while blowing a bubble.
Susan was a bold woman. She was once arrested for refusing to stop popping her gum at the Fresno Fair — she liked to make the pop super loud, and it was driving people crazy. Can you believe it? Handcuffs and everything, for popping her gum!
It gets better: when she got to the courthouse, she got in even more trouble for refusing to stop chewing in the hallway. The bailiffs said her popping sounded like a gun being fired (source). Nothing would stop this woman. Ask nicely? Nope. Arrest her? Nope, she’d keep going. She was willing to risk six months in jail and a $1,000 fine to keep chewing and popping in people’s faces. Now that is a bold woman who loves her gum. She will forever be a bubblegum legend.
(Video of her record-breaking bubble coming soon.)
Dude Perfect Bubble Gum Battle
If you’re a fan of the YouTubers Dude Perfect, you’ll enjoy their bubblegum battle. They’re not in the league of Susan or Chad, but it’s still fun to watch.
(Video coming soon.)