Monday, January 28, 2013

National Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day/National Kazoo Day


Today is filled with WAY too much childhood nostalgia! Not only is it Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, which in and of itself is amazing, it also happens to be a little day I like to call Christmas National Kazoo Day!

Bubble wrap was designed and therefore invented in 1957 by two wonderful individuals, Alfred Fielding and Marc Chavannes. The actual purpose of these sheets of air pockets is to protect fragile goods while in transit. Mom’s granola bar care packages just wouldn’t arrive in tact without it! Apparently the bubbles can be anywhere from 6 to 26 mm. However, an unintentional benefit to this creation are the hours of entertainment to small and grown kids alike from popping every last pocket! Think circular bubbles are getting old? An Italian company in 1997 created heart-shaped bubbles. Don’t have access to Bubble Wrap, but have the nagging desire to pop a sheet? Look no further, the Internet provides many magical things, including Virtual Bubble Wrap! I recommend “Manic Mode!” This makes for a fun way to show your appreciation of Bubble Wrap, without the environmental impact!

Fun Kazoo Fact: The Kazoo Museum was opened in Beaufort, South Carolina in 2010. This museum highlights the history of the kazoo and boasts a collection of over 200 kazoo-related items!

According to the experts at Wikipedia, kazoos are a “quasi-musical instrument.” It creates a vibrating noise when played. The name “Kazoo” was coined by Warren Hebert Frost in 1883. This usually plastic instrument is largely associated as being a kids toy. I often remember having these as party favors in a treat bag from a birthday bash.

Fun Kazoo Fact: They have been used in Africa as part of ceremonial events. Evidence suggests this has been taking place for hundreds of years!

Kazoos are far too under utilized these days! So, how about a shout out to a friend from my childhood, Mike Trask, and his kazoo touting song “Crazy”! 

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