Alexei Volkov
The early 20th century saw a shift in drinking habits due to the growing awareness of germ theory and the risks of sharing cups or dippers. This led to the rise of disposable cups, with the first one created in 1907 by Lawrence Luellen, a Boston lawyer and inventor. Known as The Health Kup, it gained popularity during the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1916-1918. By the 1920s, Dixie Cups had become a part of American life, offering a hygienic alternative to communal cups. However, these early disposable cups were made of paper and did not have lids or waterproof coatings. The development of plastic disposable cups and lids gained momentum in the following decades, with companies like Solo innovating and improving the design and functionality of disposable cups.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic cups in 1920 | No evidence of plastic cups in 1920 |
| Reason for the absence of plastic cups | Lack of awareness about the germ theory of disease, use of communal cups, and the invention of plastic cups likely occurred after 1920 |
| History of disposable cups | The first disposable cup, "The Health Kup," was invented in 1907 by Lawrence Luellen, a Boston lawyer and inventor. It gained popularity during the 1916-1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic due to concerns about sharing cups. |
| Influence of health concerns | The American Temperance movement (1920-1933) promoted water consumption using communal cups, which later raised health concerns. |
| Evolution of disposable cups | Paper cups gained popularity in the early 20th century due to hygiene concerns. The Solo Cup Company, founded in 1936, introduced wax-coated cups in the 1950s and the iconic red plastic cups in the 1970s. |
| Innovations in lids | The late 1960s introduced plastic lids with tearable drinking openings. The Traveler Lid, patented by Solo in 1984 (or 1986), revolutionized coffee cup lids with its recessed area and spill-proof design. |
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What You'll Learn
The Health Kup
The concept of disposable cups emerged in the early 20th century, with the invention of "The Health Kup" in 1907 by Lawrence Luellen, a Boston lawyer and inventor. The Health Kup was a flimsy, unwaxed paper cup designed as a safer drinking vessel to combat the spread of communicable diseases, such as the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1916-1918, which highlighted the dangers of sharing cups or tin dippers. This invention marked the beginning of the disposable cup industry, which later expanded to include disposable coffee cups.
During the early 1900s, it was common for people to drink water from shared cups made of metal, wood, or ceramic, often carried by a seller in a bucket or barrel of water. However, with the growing awareness of germs and the acceptance of "germ theory," the demand for disposable cups increased. The American Temperance movement from 1920 to 1933 further encouraged the use of disposable cups, as people opted for water served from wagons with communal cups, giving rise to the expression "on the wagon" for sobriety.
By the 1930s, paper cups gained popularity, and Leo Hulseman, a former employee of the Dixie Co., founded the Solo Cup Company in 1936. The company initially focused on paper cone cups sold to bottled water companies. However, they later expanded their product line to include wax-coated cups in the 1950s and eventually developed the plastic Cozy Cup. The wax-coated cups became popular with the rise in fountain sodas during that decade.
The Golden Age of the disposable coffee cup occurred in the 1960s, with the introduction of the foam cup, the Anthora cup (designed by Leslie Buck), the tearable lid, and the rise of 7-Eleven. This decade also saw the first decorated cup, adding colour and logos to what was previously plain white. The environmental movement later influenced consumer preferences, causing a decline in styrene foam cups and a resurgence of paper coffee cups.
In the 1970s, Leo Hulseman's son, Robert Leo Hulseman, created the iconic red Solo cup, made of thick, molded polystyrene. These cups became popular for their durability, stackability, and affordability. The Solo Cup Company continued to innovate, acquiring other companies and expanding their product line. By 2006, the company had sales of $2.4 billion, showcasing the success and widespread adoption of disposable cups in modern culture.
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Paper cups in the 1920s
The invention of paper cups can be traced back to the early 20th century, with the growing awareness of the germ theory of disease and the need for more hygienic solutions for serving beverages. In 1907, Lawrence Luellen, an American inventor, filed a patent for a paper cup designed for single-use, which he named the Health Kup. This invention marked the beginning of the disposable culture in America, as people moved away from reusing glass, metal, and crockery for drinking.
During the 1920s, the Dixie Cup Company, founded by Hugh Moore, played a significant role in the popularity of paper cups. Through an extensive national advertising campaign in popular magazines, the Dixie Cup became synonymous with ice cream, as ice cream manufacturers placed their logos on the cups. The late 1920s also saw the introduction of decorated cups featuring the Adam Period design, which became the company's signature style.
In the following decades, the demand for paper cups continued to grow, leading to innovations in the manufacturing process. Initially, paper cups were made from plain paper, but the introduction of wax-coated paper cups improved their durability and made them suitable for hot beverages. The health scares and growing awareness of hygiene in the early 20th century also contributed to the increasing popularity of disposable cups.
By the 1930s, paper cups were all the rage, and companies like the Paper Container Manufacturing Company in Chicago, founded by Leo Hulseman, created innovative disposable cup products. The company's signature item was a cone-shaped paper cup used for water coolers, which had become common in offices and public places. The popularity of these cups led to the company renaming itself Solo Cups, and they went on to make further innovations in the disposable cup market.
While the disposable paper cup brought about a revolution in drinking habits and shaped the food service industry, it also raised important environmental concerns. Today, companies are addressing these issues by producing eco-friendly paper cups made from recycled materials or compostable alternatives, promoting a more sustainable future.
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The Dixie Cup
The concept of disposable paper cups predates the 1920s, but it was in this decade that their production and popularity soared. The year 1907 saw the founding of the Dixie Cup company by Lawrence Luellen, a lawyer-turned-inventor, and Hugh Moore, an entrepreneur. Luellen, concerned about the sanitary conditions of communal water sources and shared glasses, devised a novel solution—a disposable, sanitary drinking cup. This innovative idea formed the basis of what would become the Dixie Cup.
The design of the Dixie Cup underwent several iterations over the years. Initially, the cups were made with a single layer of paper, but this was soon upgraded to a two-ply structure, providing better durability and insulation. The iconic cone-shaped design, reminiscent of the ice cream cups of the time, also evolved into a more cylindrical form, making the cups easier to stack and pack.
Beyond their convenience and hygiene, Dixie Cups also played a significant role in public health initiatives. During the 1918 influenza pandemic, the use of disposable cups was encouraged to curb the spread of the disease, showcasing the product's societal impact beyond mere convenience. The Dixie Cup company's early adoption of automation and mass production techniques ensured that these disposable cups were affordable and accessible to the general public.
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Plastic-coated paper cups
The use of disposable cups became popular in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1920s, due to concerns about the spread of communicable diseases from the practice of sharing water dippers and communal cups in public places. Paper cups were in high demand because of heightened hygiene awareness. Before the 1900s, it was common for people to drink water from shared cups.
Paper cups are designed for single use and disposal. They are made from renewable resources, primarily wood chips, which are transformed into wood pulp and then processed into paper. The paper used for paper cups is called "cupboard" and is made on special multi-ply paper machines. It has a barrier coating for waterproofing, and the paper requires high stiffness and strong wet sizing.
To make paper cups waterproof, manufacturers initially used techniques such as gluing the cups and adding a small amount of clay inside, followed by spinning at high speeds. However, these early paper cups were eventually replaced by polyethylene (PE)-coated cups. Polyethylene is a thin layer of plastic that keeps heat in and prevents the cup from getting soggy. It covers the surface of the board, providing waterproofing and welded seams.
While most paper cups are coated with polyethylene, there have been innovations to address the environmental impact of plastic-coated paper cups. For example, in 2017, Kotkamills launched a cup board that uses no wax or plastic for waterproofing, making it recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable. Additionally, Smart Planet Technologies introduced "reCUP" and EarthCoating, a recyclable coating for paper cups that received a high recycling rating in the EU.
The development of plastic-coated paper cups and their widespread use in the 1920s and beyond addressed hygiene concerns and provided convenient disposable solutions. However, the environmental impact of these cups, particularly their recyclability due to plastic coatings, has become a significant focus for innovation and more sustainable alternatives.
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Plastic cups today
The popularity of disposable plastic cups can be attributed to their convenience and affordability. They are lightweight, easy to stack and store, and can be disposed of quickly without the need for washing up. This makes them ideal for large gatherings or events where cleanup time needs to be minimised. Additionally, the variety of sizes available makes them suitable for serving different types of beverages, from cocktails to beer and soft drinks.
However, the environmental impact of disposable plastic cups is a growing concern. As single-use plastic waste piles up in landfills and pollutes the oceans, there is a shift towards reusable alternatives. Many event spaces and venues are now turning to washable and reusable cups to reduce their environmental footprint. Some companies, like r.World, offer reusable cups with refundable deposits, although this system has met with varying levels of success.
To address the issue of plastic waste, some businesses are emerging to provide reusable cup services on a larger scale. For example, Re:Dish, Bold Reuse, and Cup Zero are industrial-scale washing facilities that cater to universities, schools, senior living centres, and arenas. These companies aim to make reuse mainstream and reduce the staggering amount of plastic waste generated by the live event industry.
While disposable plastic cups remain prevalent, the trend towards reusable alternatives is gaining momentum. Environmental concerns and the desire to reduce waste are driving the shift towards more sustainable options. As public awareness of the impact of single-use plastics grows, we can expect to see more innovative solutions and a continued push for reusable cups in various settings, from concerts and festivals to offices and cafeterias.
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Frequently asked questions
No, plastic cups were not a thing in the 1920s. Plastic cups are a product of the injection moulding and thermoforming techniques that were developed in the 1960s and 1970s.
Yes, the 1920s saw an outpouring of new plastic materials from labs around the world. Some of the plastic products in the 1920s include soap cases, cigarette boxes, electric clocks, and cameras.
The first plastic product was called Parkesine, invented by Alexander Parkes in 1856. It was made from cellulose treated with nitric acid to create pyroxillin, which was then dissolved in alcohol.
The first fully synthetic plastic was Bakelite, invented by Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland in 1907. It was made by combining formaldehyde and phenol under heat and pressure.
World War II accelerated plastic production due to the demand for easy-to-produce, durable supplies. This led to the development of plastics that are still used today, such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, and nylon.
