National Drinking Straw Day
Sip your favourite beverage with a drinking straw on #NationalDrinkingStrawDay
National Drinking Straw Day is celebrated annually on 3 January, in acknowledgement of Marvin C Stone’s invention.
He received the patent for the paper drinking straw on 3 January 1888.
It is believed that the very first drinking straws were used by the Sumerians for drinking beer. Archaeologists speculate that the straws were used to avoid the solid byproducts of fermentation that would have sunk to the bottom. The oldest drinking straw known to be in existence, was found in a Sumerian tomb dated 3 000 BCE. This straw was a gold tube inlaid with a precious blue stone.
Neighbours to the Sumerians, the Argentines, used a similar metallic device called a bombilla for hundreds of years. The bombilla acted as both a straw and a sieve.
Today, a variety of reusable straws are manufactured – from stainless steel and glass to bamboo and silicone. These straws do not only save money and the environment but are also fun to use, as they come in a variety of creative shapes and colours.
Celebrate National Drinking Straw Day by sipping your favourite beverage using a drinking straw.
Use #DrinkingStrawDay to post on social media.
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