Since ancient times natives have chewed on tree sap, beeswax, parafin wax, spruce wax and chicle, the sap from the Sapodilla tree. Chewing Gum, the moden day equivalent, may have still been a relatively tasteless confectionery had it not been for one very smart salesman.

William Wrigley Jr. came to Chicago in the spring of 1891. He was 29 years old, had $32 in his pocket, and possessed unlimited energy and great talent as a salesman. He started out selling soap. As an extra incentive to merchants to carry Wrigley