Drinking straw

Drinking straw is a small pipe that allows its user to more conveniently consume a beverage. A thin tube of paper, plastic (such as polypropylene and polystyrene), or other material is used by placing one end in the mouth and the other in the beverage. A combination of muscular action of the tongue and cheeks reduces air pressure in the mouth and above the liquid in the straw, whereupon atmospheric pressure forces the beverage through the straw.

History

The first known straws were made by the Sumerians, and were used for drinking beer, probably to avoid the solid byproducts of fermentation that sink to the bottom. The oldest drinking straw in existence, found in a Sumerian tomb dated 3,000 B.C.E., was a gold tube inlaid with the precious blue stone lapis lazuli.

Modern Drinking Straws

In the 1800s, the rye grass straw came into fashion because it was cheap and soft, but it had an unfortunate tendency to turn to mush when put in liquid. To address these issues, Marvin C. Stone patented the modern drinking straw, made of paper, in 1888.

Environmental Impact

Plastic straws have been cited as a contributor to plastic pollution, leading to a movement for their replacement or discontinuation.

See Also

• Plastic pollution
• History of beverages
• Environmental impact of plastic

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