National Drinking Straw Day, observed on January 3, focuses on the invention of the modern drinking straw and its role in everyday life. The date marks a key moment in 1888, when Marvin C. Stone received a U.S. patent for the first paper drinking straw. His design replaced fragile natural straws and helped standardize how beverages were served in homes, cafés, and restaurants.
Modern trends and developments
During the 20th century, plastic straws became widespread because they were cheap, lightweight, and easy to mass-produce. Over time, concerns about plastic waste shifted public attention toward alternatives. Today, National Drinking Straw Day often highlights reusable and biodegradable options such as stainless steel, glass, bamboo, silicone, and paper.
When Is National Drinking Straw Day Celebrated?
Below is a quick reference table showing how National Drinking Straw Day falls on the calendar in upcoming years, including the weekday for each date.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | January 3, Saturday |
| 2027 | January 3, Sunday |
| 2028 | January 3, Monday |
| 2029 | January 3, Wednesday |
| 2030 | January 3, Thursday |
Facts About Drinking Straws
Drinking straws have been used for thousands of years, evolving from practical tools for filtering drinks into everyday items shaped by design, culture, and technology. Their history includes unexpected inventions, medical uses, and even world records.
Ancient and cultural origins
- Beer before glasses: The oldest known drinking straw dates to around 3000 BCE. Found in a Sumerian tomb, it was made of gold and inlaid with lapis lazuli, designed to drink unfiltered beer while avoiding thick sediment.
- Yerba mate tradition: In Argentina and Uruguay, people drink yerba mate using a metal straw called a bombilla. It includes a built-in filter to keep tea leaves out while sipping.
- Hygiene: In ancient hot climates, including Egypt, straws helped people avoid insects or debris that might fall into open drinking vessels.
Invention and design
- The modern paper straw: On January 3, 1888, Marvin C. Stone patented the first paper drinking straw. His wax-coated design replaced natural rye grass straws, which often softened in liquid and affected taste.
- The bendy straw: In 1937, Joseph B. Friedman created the flexible straw after seeing his daughter struggle to drink a milkshake. His first prototype used a screw and dental floss to form accordion-like ridges.
- Hospitals before restaurants: Flexible straws were initially adopted by hospitals, where they helped bedridden patients drink without sitting upright.
Modern use and surprising facts
- Plastic straw volume: In the United States, hundreds of millions of plastic straws have historically been used each day, contributing to concerns about waste and pollution.
- Accessibility matters: For many people with disabilities or medical needs, plastic straws remain essential. Some alternatives can collapse, conduct heat, or pose safety risks.
- Straws in space: Astronauts use straws with one-way valves so liquids do not float away in microgravity.
- Dental considerations: Dentists sometimes recommend straws for dark or sugary drinks, as they can reduce contact with front teeth and limit staining.
Records and extremes
- World record chain: The longest chain of connected drinking straws measured over 7,000 feet (more than 2 kilometers), made using tens of thousands of individual straws.
- Unusual experiments: Some creators have tested extremely long straws—over 10 meters (33 feet)—to see whether liquid can still be drawn through them.
