“Big Red” can refer to a cream soda brand, a 1962 Disney film, various sports mascots, or a Honda ATC from the 1980s. For our purposes, though, we’re focused on Big Red chewing gum from Wrigley.

Somewhere between 9,500 and 9,900 years ago, three Scandinavian teenagers were hanging out, chewing gum after a meal. Specifically, they were chewing pitch or tar made from the bark of birch trees.

Tips for an effective gum-chewing session. In terms of the best gum flavor or brand to choose, Dr. Girgis says anything goes. Big Red, Juicy Fruit, Hubba Bubba, you name it.