Three Questions is going to be a regular feature of this blog. The focus is on three questions asked of everyday people involved in curious pursuits.
The subject of our first Three Questions is Gary Duschl of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Gary has been involved in a curious pursuit since 1965: gum wrappers. Gary does more than just collect the wrappers; he makes chains out of them. More precisely, he is working on one chain, one lonnnnng chain.
In 2010, Gary’s gum wrapper chain won the honor of world’s longest by the Guinness Book of World Records. Since then, the chain continues to grow. Today, the chain contains nearly two million wrappers that stretches more than fifteen miles!
Here are Gary’s Three Questions:
Robert: Why did you start the chain?
Gary: In ninth grade, some of my fellow students were making a chain and they showed me how to do it. I was fascinated with the idea of taking the lowly gum wrapper, synonymous with garbage, and making something creative and attractive with it. Gum wrappers were in abundant supply and soon I had everyone in the class and, as the fame and chain grew, everyone in the school saving their wrappers for me. In no time, I had the longest chain in the school, then in the area, and now, almost 50 years later, in the world.
Robert: Who provides you with the wrappers?
Gary: Wrappers have been sent to me through my website from people all over the world. In appreciation for my loyalty to the Wrigley brand, I received recognition and a lifetime supply of unused wrappers from William Wrigley Jr. He was kind enough to even sign a section of the chain for me.
The wrappers are stored in 5,000 wrapper sleeves in used Xerox paper boxes. The chain is stored in 14 specially designed plexiglass display cases as can be seen in my Youtube video or website.
Robert: How has being the world’s record holder changed your life?
Gary: I can’t say that being a record holder has changed my life per se. However, I can tell you that being recognized as being the best in the world at something is an incredible feeling of accomplishment. It is a wonderful feeling to know that you have achieved something, and done something better than not only everyone else in the world, but everyone who has ever lived, and quite possibly, everyone who ever will live.
Check out Gary’s website at www.gumwrapper.com to get more information, see pictures, and learn how to make your own gum wrapper chain.
The King of gum wrapper chains!
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