Frank Henry Fleer, an American confectioner, had made a batch of bubble gum in 1906. The gum was too sticky and was never marketed to the public. It was not until 1928 that 23 year old Walter Diemer, an accountant at Fleer Chewing Gum Company in Philadelphia, was able to refine the formulation.

For a long time Fleer president Gilbert Mustin tried to save money by making his own gum base. He set up a kettle in a lab next to Walter Diemer’s office, and began to experiment. From time to time, Gilbert Mustin asked Walter Diemer to watch his batch of gum while he was out of office. Walter was fascinated. Mr. Mustin soon lost interest in making a gum base. Walter Diemer did not. In 1928 Mr. Diemer accidentally stumbled upon a recipe that was perfect for making bubbles.
Some food coloring enhanced the elasticity of gum and made it possible to blew large bubbles. The invention of bubble gum was an accident, Diemer said later. He gave pieces to an office. They sold out in one day priced at one penny a piece. Fleer began marketing the new gum as “Dubble Bubble”.
With the beginning of World War II chewing gum captured the market in Europe. On his 93rd birthday Diemer died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Walter Diemer never received royalties for his invention.