Thomas Adams (manufacturer and philanthropist)

Thomas Adams (1818 – 1905) was a Scottish-born American inventor and businessman, best known for his role in popularizing chewing gum in the United States. He is considered one of the pioneers of the chewing gum industry.

Adams was born in Scotland and emigrated to the United States in the 1840s. He initially worked in various fields, including photography. His interest in chewing gum arose from his encounter with Antonio López de Santa Anna, the former president of Mexico, who introduced Adams to chicle, a natural gum from the sapodilla tree. Santa Anna believed that chicle could be used as a rubber substitute.

Adams experimented extensively with chicle but initially failed to find a commercially viable use as a rubber alternative. However, he observed that people enjoyed chewing the chicle itself. Recognizing this potential, in 1871, Adams patented a machine for manufacturing chewing gum. He began producing and selling “Adams' New York No. 1,” the first commercially successful chewing gum in the United States. It was unflavored and sold in drugstores.

Following the success of his first chewing gum, Adams continued to innovate. In 1884, he introduced "Tutti-Frutti," the first flavored chewing gum to be sold in vending machines. This further propelled the popularity of chewing gum across the country.

Beyond his business ventures, Adams was also a philanthropist. He contributed to various charitable causes and organizations, reflecting his commitment to improving the lives of others.

The Adams Gum Company, which he founded, became a major player in the chewing gum industry and was eventually acquired by the American Chicle Company in 1899. Despite the acquisition, Adams remained involved in the business until his death in 1905. His contributions laid the foundation for the modern chewing gum industry, and he is remembered as a key figure in the development of this popular confectionery.