Longest chain of chewing gum packaging spans across the globe
Legendary Bubble Gum Wrapping Feat: Canadian Man Holds World Record for Over Three Decades
Canadian resident Gary Duschl has set a world record in an unexpected crafting category since 1994, maintaining his unbeaten position for over 30 years. His hobby of creating chains from bubble gum wrappers began in childhood and was inspired by older children on the playground, according to The Guardian.
At the age of 14, Duschl started his unusual obsession and won his first competition for having the longest chain in his class, later extending his victory to his entire school. Today, Duschl holds the world record with a chain that has been measured at over 23.2 miles (37.4 km), smashing his own record eight times.
In 1992, Duschl and his wife visited the Ripley's Museum in Ontario, where they discovered a massive bubble gum wrapper chain exhibit. At that moment, they realized that their chain was larger than the then-current Guinness World Record holder, whose chain measured 2.25 kilometers. This comparison sparked Duschl's competitive spirit, and two years later, he broke the record with a chain length of 3.68 kilometers.
Despite having eclipsed all competitors, Duschl remains committed to his avocation. "My goal is to one day say that my chain is as long as a marathon (26.2 miles or 42 kilometers). After that, I hope to reach 28 miles (45 kilometers), the length of the beach in Virginia, USA, where I've resided since 2002," Duschl shares.
Although no one has come close to matching Duschl's record, the second-longest bubble gum wrapper chain is reportedly from Germany, measuring approximately 5.18 kilometers. However, specific details about the record holder are not readily available.
Duschl has also garnered fame on TikTok, with a viral video about his achievements. Despite his success among crafters and social media popularity, Duschl continues working towards his ambitious goal of creating a world-record-breaking bubble gum wrapper chain.
Sources: ntv.de, akr.
In his home in Virginia, United States, Gary Duschl, the Canadian record holder for the longest bubble gum wrapper chain, aspires to expand his creation to a length of 28 miles (45 kilometers), reflecting his commitment to sustainable living and hobby of home-and-garden crafts. Despite the second-longest chain being from Germany, measuring approximately 5.18 kilometers, Duschl's international record remains unmatched.
