Generally speaking, cushioning is used in packaging to protect fragile items during their transportation. Packages are often dropped or kicked accidentally or generally impacted somehow during their transportation and so cushioning the packaging is a step that must be taken to ensure fragile objects are not harmed.

A reliable way of cushioning an object so that it doesnt get harmed in the transportation process is to use bubble wrap. Bubble wrap has been used for this for just over fifty years and is still going strong.

Bubble wrap itself is a transparent and plastic sheet with evenly spaced air bubbles protruding from it which when wrapped around a fragile item, provides cushioning for the item.

In 1957, two engineers (Marc Chavannes and Alfred Fielding) invented bubbled wrap and the name was a trademark of their company The Sealed Air Corporation and technically speaking, still is.

Sometimes more than one layer of bubble wrap is more effective than bigger bubbles, but its not always necessary. If something isnt likely to break completely but has a delicate finish on the surface, then a single layer of bubble wrap will suffice to ensure that the item does not get scratched.

The bubbles can be as small as a quarter of an inch in diameter, and then can usually go up to an inch in diameter but, depending on where you buy it from, you can usually make a customised size request. The reason for this is of course, the bigger the air bubbles, the greater protection the bubble wrap provides.

Bubble wrap comes in different materials because some delicate objects may require wrapping in a specific material to avoid damage, such as sensitive electronic parts that would be damaged by the static of the standard bubble wrap material.

Bubble wrap, as we all know can be played with for entertainment. Popping the bubbles makes a somewhat satisfying popping noise that delights children. Some websites have whats known as virtual bubble wrap which pops when you click on it. Some people may call this pointless, some people may call it fantastic, I think its both.