Alfred W. Fielding (1918–1994) was an American engineer and inventor who, along with his partner Marc Chavannes, co-founded Sealed Air Corporation. The company is best known for inventing and producing Bubble Wrap, a widely used packaging material that provides cushioning for fragile items during shipping.
Alfred Fielding and Swiss-born engineer Marc Chavannes met while working at a wallpaper company in New Jersey. In 1957, they began collaborating on a project aimed at creating textured wallpaper. Their initial idea was to trap air between two layers of plastic material to create an appealing design. Although their textured wallpaper idea didn't take off, they recognized the potential of the material they had developed for a different purpose – packaging.
Fielding and Chavannes founded Sealed Air Corporation in 1960, focusing on the production and distribution of their air-cushioned material, which they later named Bubble Wrap. The product quickly gained popularity as a reliable, lightweight, and cost-effective packaging solution that protected fragile items during shipping. Bubble Wrap's innovative design offered an excellent cushioning effect, reducing breakage and damage to items in transit.
Under Fielding and Chavannes' leadership, Sealed Air Corporation grew rapidly, expanding its product offerings and entering new markets. Today, the company is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of protective packaging materials and systems, serving a wide range of industries, including food, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods.
Although Alfred Fielding passed away in 1994, his legacy lives on through Sealed Air Corporation and its ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability. The company continues to develop new products and solutions that help businesses protect their goods while minimizing environmental impact.
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