Sealed Air Corporation, the creator of Bubble Wrap brand cushioning, on January 28 named 15 year-old Grayson Rosenberger, of Nashville, Tenn., the grand prize winner of the first-ever Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors. His winning invention used Bubble Wrap cushioning to create a low-cost cosmetic covering for prosthetic limbs and earned him a $10,000 savings bond.
Rosenberger was one of nearly 800 students who entered the nationwide contest challenging students in grades 5 through 8 to come up with creative inventions that incorporate Bubble Wrap brand cushioning. The announcement coincided with the celebration of the seventh annual Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, a holiday honoring the revolutionary packaging material invented more than 45 years ago and recognized around the world.
The inspiration for Rosenberger’s invention, titled “Bubble Wrap Cosmetic Covering Shell for Artificial Legs in Developing Countries,” was his mother, a double-leg amputee, and his family’s charitable work with prosthetic patients in
In addition to the savings bond, Rosenberger, along with the competition’s other two finalists, won a trip to
Second place: Megan Guerrero, 13, San Angelo, Texas – “The Empire State Building: A Three-Dimensional Construction Project” – A creative work of art and clever architectural puzzle that presents a fun and educational way to learn about one of the world’s most famous buildings. This three-dimensional puzzle uses custom-cut pieces of Bubble Wrap cushioning to build a 2.5-foot replica of the
Third place: Alex Chalcraft, 13,
“As a company, Sealed Air has always valued and encouraged innovation,” said William V. Hickey, Sealed Air’s president and CEO. “Consequently, all of the young inventors that participated in this competition are an inspiration to us. Sealed Air is grateful to have this opportunity to recognize and support the creativity and ingenuity of our three finalists through a competition that celebrates one of our most well-known and trusted brands.”
Submissions were judged in coordination with the National Museum of Education and ranked based on several criteria including originality, creativity, usefulness, benefit to society, marketability and feasibility, as well as overall presentation. Entries received ranged from a Bubble Wrap cushioning-based saddle pad and portable candy packaging to an instrument case and fish tank decor. Students were invited to submit original inventions along with a visual and written description that included the name of the invention, the purpose it serves, how it works and how the idea was formulated.
Bubble Wrap cushioning was invented by Sealed Air’s founders in 1960 and was originally intended to be used as a type of textured wallpaper. The inventors quickly realized it was actually a superior cushioning material, and Sealed Air is now a global, Fortune 500 company that offers a wide range of packaging solutions, has operations in 51 countries and has annual sales in excess of $4 billion. Sealed Air is widely recognized for its strong commitment to innovation, and continues to be an industry leader in research and development.
The Bubble Wrap Competition for Young Inventors is sponsored by Sealed Air and administered by the National Museum of Education. For additional information on the competition, and to celebrate Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day, visit www.bubblewrap.com.