The Development Of The Cup Holder: A Modern Convenience

A cup holder is a modern device that is simple in idea and design. It is something that many of us use almost every day, if not daily, yet hardly ever consider. What would our lives be without this little development that holds our cups and other drinking vessels?

Our bodies require water to function and sustenance. Thus, drinking has become a part of our every day lives. It is strongly recommended that we drink eight to ten glasses of water per day. If you are striving to maintain your health and weight, this is a good practice, and will usually require carrying water with you at all times. Not only is drinking a necessity for life, but it has also become habit, such as morning coffee. Drinking certain beverages such as lattes or cappuccinos can also be the fashionable thing to do. So we drink to live, we drink out of habit, and we drink because it is the popular thing to do.

Perhaps it is because drinking is such an integral part of our lives that James Guillow invented the cup holder. After its invention, however, its potential was sadly not widely recognized for many years.

In the’60’s, drive through restaurants became increasingly popular, and with them, the cup holder began to be sold. At this stage, the cup holder was merely a wedge-shaped device that could be clipped to your car window or stuck between the front seats.

Built in cup holders in automobiles later became increasingly more common. As families began to travel more and the minivan came onto the scene, they became more common. The auto industry also had to work hard to keep up with the beverage industry as they began experimenting with different size cups and bottles. They lived up to the challenge, soon inventing the expandable and retractable cup holder.

Perhaps the most well-known major factor in promoting the use of the cup holder was a lawsuit filed against McDonalds when an elderly woman had a cup of scalding coffee spilled in her lap. Although she at first merely asked for an apology and funds to cover the cost of her medical bill and cleaning expenses, the company refused, an act which was later regrettable. They ended up paying millions in fees. Since this incident, companies have taken notice of the possible hazard hot drinks can pose and cup holders have become even more indispensable to reduce this risk.

Every year in the United States there are at least six million car accidents, a large portion of which occur because of minor distractions in the car. One of those distractions could be holding a drink while driving. Safety while on the roads is of great importance to all who drive. Using a cup holder could potentially save a life.

A cup holder is important for its function, but the location and placement of it in a vehicle is also of extreme importance. You need a cup holder to be within reach, yet not in he way. If you are driving a stick shift, this can be even more important.

Cup holders have also become of great importance to those with children. Parents need cup holders to keep their hands free to take care of little ones. With many children who are not capable of holding their drinks efficiently without spilling them, cup holders are a necessity. Parents only have so many hands! In modern times, cup holders have been integrated into baby strollers and car seats, making them functional even for the baby bottle.

We all would miss cup holders if they suddenly no longer existed. We have begun to use these as holders not only useful for cups, but for coins, keys, phones, and lots of other small items we need easy access to.

There are thousands of reasons why you must have a cup holder. Take a look at http://www.oh-4.com/cupholder.php why you will not be able to refuse this drink holder.