Walter Diemer
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Diemer was working as an accountant at Fleer in 1926 when the company president sought to cut costs by making their own gum base.The company's founder, Frank Fleer, had previously made a batch of bubble gum in 1906 which he called Blibber-Blubber, but it was too sticky and easily broke.Ultimately, the modern form of bubble gum was invented in 1928 in Philadelphia and has remained his greatest achievement.However, Diemer did not patent his invention and competition soon arose as bubble gum became a popular and inexpensive treat during the Great Depression.Following the death of his first wife Adelaide in 1990, Diemer rode around his Pennsylvania retirement village in a big tricycle, distributing bubble gum to children.