Bubble wrap protects fragile goods by trapping air in small cushions that absorb impacts.

The longer version

A sheet of sealed air pockets cushions because each pocket can deform. When something fragile presses against it, the trapped air compresses and the plastic film stretches, spreading the force over a longer time and a wider area. Slower loading means a lower peak force on the object, and it is peak force that actually causes breakage.

Padding works by managing energy rather than by being soft. A rigid box lined with hard material transmits a shock straight through, while a compliant layer turns it into gentle deformation. The same reasoning explains why eggs survive in moulded pulp trays and why a package dropped onto carpet fares better than one dropped onto concrete.

Where this entry sits

Odd Little Things looks at the ordinary objects people touch every day and the small mechanisms and histories hiding inside them. Buttons, zips, pencils, mirrors, stairs, stamps, packaging, and road signs all get their turn. The full list sits on the Odd Little Things page, where every entry is listed in order.