Super Elastic Bubble Plastic

[72doug2,2S]

Does anyone else remember Super Elastic Bubble Plastic by WHAM-O?

What the heck were they thinking? I can still remember those fumes. The high from the fumes was greatly helped from the psychedelic colors of the balloon.

Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was the brand name for a children's toy manufactured from the 1970s through the 80s by Wham-O. It consisted of a tube of viscous plastic substance and a thin straw used to blow semi-solid bubbles. A pea-sized amount of liquid plastic was squeezed from the tube and made into a tiny ball. One end of the straw was then inserted into the ball, and the user would blow into the other end, inflating the plastic into a bubble. The bubble could then be removed from the straw by pinching the hole closed, sealing the air inside.

The size of each bubble depended on the amount of plastic used. Roughly the consistency of bubblegum, the bubbles formed were much more durable than simple soap bubbles, and could be gently manipulated to make different shapes, and stacked to make simple figures such as snowmen. However, they were not as durable as regular balloons, and could pop easily if overinflated, handled with too much force, or squeezed.

Chemically, the bubbles contained polyvinyl acetate dissolved in acetone, with ethyl acetate plastic fortifiers added. The acetone evaporated upon bubble inflation leaving behind a solid plastic film.[1]

Besides the potential for spills when liquid plastic was handled by children, the substance also emitted noxious fumes. The fumes could become concentrated inside the straw, making it dangerous to inhale through the straw while inflating a bubble. The toy was not recommended for children under 5.[2] Because of these problems, Super Elastic Bubble Plastic was eventually discontinued

[Crowbob]

I liked the colors. The colors the colors the colors...

[Amail]

I remember it sounded much cooler than it turned out to be. Kinda like seamonkeys.

[Crowbob]

the colors the colors

[LeeH]

Figure this is part of the reason why I have no memory.

[GH85Carrera]

I remember that stuff. It got old and boring real quick.

[M.D. Holloway]

a portion of my childhood lost...

[OffCamber00]

"got the ethereal material that's straight-up classic"

[widebody911]

Reminds me of

[craigster59]

I had as much fun with that as I did with a Slinky.

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by Amail

I remember it sounded much cooler than it turned out to be. Kinda like seamonkeys.

[herr_oberst]

Better living through chemistry.

[red-beard]

[joe payne]

You had to get that goo just right on the end of the straw or you would blow a hole through it. Good times.

[NY65912]

I seem to remember it had quite an odor, like model cement. Unless, I was high at the time and thinking of model glue.

[ckelly78z]

This stuff is still out there, earlier this year while camping and mostly drunk, my wife remembered that she found it in the dollar store, so us and another couple had a lot of laughs blowing bubbles around the campfire.....probably not the best plan, but oh well !

[wdfifteen]

I remember playing with it when I was a kid.
I guess it's a good sign that I remember - it didn't damage my brain too bad.

[72doug2,2S]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

This stuff is still out there, earlier this year while camping and mostly drunk, my wife remembered that she found it in the dollar store, so us and another couple had a lot of laughs blowing bubbles around the campfire.....probably not the best plan, but oh well !

Unbelievable! It's like we're grooming children for crack pipes.

[Crowbob]

The colors, the beautiful colors...

[red-beard]

Wild Wacky Action Bike!