First patent filed for drinking straws

In 1888, Marvin Stone filed a patent for drinking straws made of manila paper.
Marvin was frustrated with the taste of his drinks being affected by the unappealing grassy taste of the rough rye grass straws that were commonly used at the time.
So, he decided to create a more taste neutral version by rolling paper around a pencil, gluing the seams, and cutting the resulting tube to the proper length.
The straws were made water resistant by soaking them with paraffin wax.
These paper straws with their characteristic spiral pattern are the same that we still see a lot in modern paper drinking straws.

The paper straws are a much more hygienic way to drink beverages than their grass counterparts. Though nowadays most people like the taste of straws made from modern materials better.
With the environment and reduction of waste being a growing concern it’s a good thing that reusable straws are becoming more available. They provide a sturdier straw and even less or even no aftertaste at all.