Drinking Straw Day is celebrated on January 3 each year, marking the day Marvin Chester received a patent for his invention, the paper straw. Can you imagine a world without straws? It wouldn’t be fun! Straws make our lives easier by helping us reach the last bit of juice at the bottom of the glass. They also keep things cleaner and let us enjoy our drinks slowly and comfortably.
History of Drinking Straw Day
The earliest form of use of straws dates back nearly 5,000 years to Ancient Sumerians. They used long, thin metal tubes dipped into large jars of beer. These tubes bypassed the fermentation layers, reaching the liquid at the bottom, and allowed the Sumerians to drink directly from the jar.
Moreover, in 1888, Marvin Stone, who originally made paper cigarette holders, became the first person to patent a drinking straw. Before, the paper straw, people used rye straws but Stone didn’t like the taste they left behind or how they fell apart in the drink.
While enjoying a mint julep on a summer day, he decided to create a better straw. He wrapped paper strips around a pencil to make a prototype, which didn’t have the grassy taste and was more durable than rye straws. By 1890, he had patented his design, and his company, Stone Industrial, started producing paper straws commercially.
In addition, in the 1930s, Joseph Friedman invented bendable straws. He saw his daughter having trouble with a paper straw while drinking a milkshake. Therefore, in 1937, he created a bendable straw by adding a screw in the middle that made it adjustable and less likely to break. By the 1960s, plastic straws became popular as fast food restaurants grew, because they were cheaper to produce than paper straws.
Timeline of Drinking Straw Day
| 3000 B.C. (Thin Tubes as Ancient Straws) | Ancient Sumerians used thin, long, metallic tubes to brew beer. |
| 1888 (Marvin Stone Gets a Straw Patent) | Stone files for a paper drinking straw patent after disliking the rye straw aftertaste. |
| 1937 (Paper Straw Becomes Bendable) | Joseph Friedman files for a bendable straw patent after watching his daughter struggle to drink with a straight paper straw. |
| 1960s (Plastic Replaces Paper) | With the rise of the fast-food industry, paper drinking straws have been replaced by low-cost plastic straws. |
5 Interesting Facts About Drinking Straws
- Bombilla — the multipurpose straw: In Argentina, a special metallic straw called a bombilla is used to filter and drink mate tea.
- Straws are in high demand: In the U.S. alone, up to 500 million drinking straws are used each day.
- The oldest drinking straw was very expensive: An ancient straw found in a Sumerian tomb dating back to around 3,000 B.C. was made of gold and lapis lazuli, making it quite valuable.
- Plastic straws harm marine life: Plastic straws contribute to global plastic pollution and damage marine ecosystems.
- Straws recycled into bags: In Uganda, used drinking straws are recycled and woven into bags.
Conclusion
Drinking Straw Day on January 3 celebrates the innovation of the paper straw and the convenience it has brought to our daily lives. From the ancient Sumerians’ metal tubes to Marvin Stone’s patent for paper straws and Joseph Friedman’s bendable design, straws have evolved significantly over the millennia.
Although plastic straws became popular in the 1960s due to their cost-effectiveness, their environmental impact has sparked a shift back to more sustainable alternatives. As we mark Drinking Straw Day, let’s appreciate how this simple invention has made our drinking experiences better and consider the future of straws in our efforts to reduce plastic waste.
Frequently Ask Question
Who invented the paper straw?
Marvin Stone invented the paper straw. He patented the design in 1888 after finding that rye straws left an undesirable taste and fell apart too easily.
What was the first type of straw used?
The earliest straws were used by the Ancient Sumerians around 3000 B.C. They employed thin, metallic tubes to drink beer while avoiding the fermentation layers at the bottom of large jars.
When were bendable straws invented?
Bendable straws were invented by Joseph Friedman in 1937. He created them after observing his daughter struggle with a straight paper straw while drinking a milkshake.
How did plastic straws come into use?
Plastic straws became popular in the 1960s due to the rise of fast-food restaurants. They were cheaper to produce than paper straws, leading to their widespread adoption.
You may also like to read, International Stout Day – November 7, 2024
