Marvin Stone – Inventor of the Modern Drinking Straw
Marvin Chester Stone (April 4, 1842 – May 17, 1899) was an American inventor. He is best known for inventing the modern drinking straw.
Introduction
Marvin Stone was a U.S. inventor who made the first paper drinking straw in 1888. Stone was frustrated by the fact that the drinking straws commonly used at the time were made from cane stems, which were often dirty and unhygienic. So he decided to make a drinking straw that was made of paper, making it more hygienic and easier to produce. Stone patented his invention and started a company that manufactured and sold drinking straws. His invention revolutionized the way people consumed drinks and became a worldwide success.
Key Facts about Marvin Stone
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 7, 1839 | Birth of Marvin Stone in Washington, D.C. |
| 1888 | Invention of the paper drinking straw by Marvin Stone |
| 1888 | Patenting of the invention by Marvin Stone |
| 1888 | Founding of the company by Marvin Stone to manufacture and distribute drinking straws |
| 1899 | Death of Marvin Stone at the age of 60 |
- Marvin Stone was a US inventor who made the first paper drinking straw in 1888.
- Stone was frustrated by the fact that the drinking straws commonly used at the time were made from cane stems, which were often dirty and unhygienic. So he decided to make a drinking straw that was made of paper, making it more hygienic and easier to produce.
- Stone patented his invention and started a company that manufactured and sold drinking straws. His invention revolutionized the way people consumed beverages and became a worldwide success.
- Stone was also active in the political arena, working for various government agencies.
- Stone died in 1899 at the age of 60, but his invention had already changed the way people consumed beverages and remained an important part of daily life in the decades that followed.
Early life
Marvin was born in Portage County, Ohio in 1842. The son of an inventor, Stone made many useful articles in his boyhood. He was a graduate of Oberlin College, although his course of study was interrupted by his service in the Civil War. During the Civil War, Stone served in the 7th Ohio Regiment.
He was injured in the Battle of Lookout Mountain and sent to Washington D.C. on special duty with the Veteran Reserve Corps. After college, Stone began a theological course but abandoned it to go to Washington, D.C. where he was employed as a newspaper correspondent for several years.
Career
Marvin began his career as an inventor by creating the machine to make paper cigarette holders.
Stone secured a contract with the W. Duke Sons & Co. and opened a factory in Washington, D.C. to produce cigarette holders for the company’s Cameo brand of cigarettes.
In 1888, he made the first drinking straw out of paper. After patenting his invention, he founded a company that manufactured and sold drinking straws. His invention became a worldwide success and revolutionized the way people consumed beverages.
Before Stone invented the drinking straw, he worked in various professions, including as a journalist and publisher. He was also active in the political arena, working for various government agencies.
After Stone invented the drinking straw, he devoted himself entirely to the manufacture and distribution of drinking straws. His company expanded rapidly and became a leading manufacturer of drinking straws. Stone died in 1899 at the age of 60, but his invention had already changed the way people consumed beverages and remained an important part of daily life in the decades that followed
Philanthropy
Stone used the newfound wealth from his straw business for a variety of philanthropic causes. He furnished lodging for his female employees, including a large library, music room, meeting room, and dancing floor. In addition, he and several others built two blocks of tenement houses for African American residents of Washington, D.C.
Personal life
Stone married Jane “Jennie” Platt.
Stone died in his home in Columbia Road, Washington, D.C., on May 17, 1899, after a long illness.
Stone is buried at Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland.
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