TOD
I haven't chewed gum in decades. I liked it, but even then it wasn't something that pops up when I think about my childhood years.
Mine were mainly the Wrigley gums (certainly spearmint, but what were the others?), some bubble gum now and then (but I was never a fanatical bubble gum blower), and Dentyne - which I hadn't remembered or thought about in years. Back then it was just that one flavor variety in that little stick, and wasn't it marketed as somehow good for your teeth or at least as a breath freshener?
I do remember Black Jack licorice gum, most likely from later years as opposed to early ones, but I can't place a time frame on that. I'm sure I loved it, since I love most licorice.
Well, having typed all of that, now it IS a thing that pops up when I think about my childhood years. I believe chewing gum really was a staple of sorts. To me, now, it's just odd, and I'd have no desire to have any. Except I should try the Black Jack again. And, credit where due: What originally re-ignited my awareness of it in recent years was BK's references to it in the books.