Even though the concept of chewing gum had been around for almost 9,000 years, modern chewing gum was invented by Thomas Adams in the 1869. The chewing gum was created using chicle, which was given to him by the exiled Mexican president, Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. The original plan was to use the chicle to invent a substance that could be a substitute for rubber.
Adams tried using his new synthetic “rubber” to create tiers. When that project failed he attempted making toys, masks, rain boots, and bicycle tires. Those projects also failed. In 1869 he got the idea to use his excess creation to make chewing gum like the Mexicans, who used chicle to make the gum base. He did this by adding flavors to the chicle stock.
He chewing gum is known as “Tutti-Frutti”.
In general, there are many causes for ethical problems when it comes to using products and inventions for different purposes than originally intended. For example, the things used to create something were chosen based on its original purpose, which might not be the best, or healthiest, things to make up the product now that it is being used for something different. The inventors/engineers try to foresee and address possible problems with the product in advance. When the product is then used for something else, other problems that would not have been possible if used for its intended purpose.
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