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Drinking straw
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The drinking straw is a device used for sucking up a liquid - usually a drink. A thin tube of plastic (especially polystyrene) or other material, straight or with an accordion-like living hinge, it is employed by being held with one end in the mouth and another end in the drink. Muscular action reduces air pressure in the mouth, whereupon atmospheric pressure forces the drink up the straw. The first straws were made by the Sumerians, and used for drinking beer (as to avoid the solid byproducts of fermentation). Argentinians use a similar device called bombilla that acts as both a straw and sieve for drinking mate tea. The modern drinking straw was patented in 1888 by Marvin C. Stone.
- A basic drinking straw is straight for the full length.
- A bendable straw has a concertina-type hinge near the top for convenience.
- A "crazy" straw is hard plastic and has a number of twists and turns at the top. When liquid is sucked through the straw, it quickly flows through the winding path, creating an entertaining spectacle.
- A spoon straw features a cut-away shape at one end that functions as a miniature spoon. It is intended for slush drinks.
- Candy straws, such as licorice straws (or lico-straws).
- A miniature straw often comes attached to a drink box.