Alfred Fielding was an American inventor best known for co-creating bubble wrap in 1957. He initially designed it as a textured wallpaper, but the product's unique cushioning properties led to its use in packaging. Fielding partnered with Marc Chavannes to develop the product further, and it quickly gained popularity for protecting fragile items during shipping. Today, bubble wrap is widely recognized and used in various industries, showcasing Fielding's significant contribution to packaging technology.