National day gives Rockford-area residents something to chew on

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Gum chewing is a widely popular pastime, so much so that Sept. 30 is National Chewing Gum Day.

"My favorite gum would probably be 5 Gum," said Rockford medical student Lauren Melidosian.

There are more than 370 billion pieces of chewing gum sold worldwide each year. From fruity squares made to blow the biggest bubbles possible to tiny sticks of minty freshness, gum is a $4.5 billion industry in the United States.

"As kid I liked the Hubba Bubba and all the cheap gum that we used to chew," Melidosian said, adding that she while doesn't buy as much gum as she once did, she rarely goes without.

"I always keep some in car, probably like every month or so," she said.

Even with dozens of brands on the market that all claim to be the tastiest, local residents say it's not always an easy choice. But, once they lock in a on a good gum, they tend to stick with it.

"I usually buy the Extra, and maybe the chewy ones sometimes," said Quincy Hayes, who usually grabs a stick when he's reading or trying to focus on another activity.

In addition to the enjoyment, some say having a good chew is vital in social situations, especially when freshening up is the ultimate goal.

"I don't really purchase it, but I always chew it when somebody offers me a piece," said Rick Bartscher. Because I would have to take the hint that it's for a purpose. And I wouldn't want to offend anyone."

Some scientists say chewing gum can be traced back to the Stone Age. In 2007, an archaeology student discovered 5,000-year-old piece of gum made from tree bark that still had teeth marks in it.

Chewing gum was first manufactured in the United States in 1848 by inventor John B. Curtis.