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How the bendy straw was invented | Moments of Vision 12 - Jessica Oreck

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  • TEDEd Animation

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Today, Americans use an estimated 500 million drinking straws every day. But where did the idea for this beloved utensil come from? In the twelfth installment of our ‘Moments of Vision’ series, Jessica Oreck shares the origins of the bendy straw.


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TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jessica Oreck
  • Director Jessica Oreck
  • Animator Jessica Oreck
  • Composer Eli Janney
  • Compositor Nate Shaw
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Jessica Oreck
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Humans have been drinking out of tubes for thousands of years, but the straw as we know it a relatively recent invention. Before the paper straw Friedman used was invented, straws were made out of plant material. To avoid the grassy taste and shedding material of these straws, Marvin Chester Stone invented the paper straw. Learn more about the history of the drinking straw here.

Today, most drinking straws are plastic. Watch how plastic straws are made here. 

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Jessica Oreck
  • Director Jessica Oreck
  • Animator Jessica Oreck
  • Composer Eli Janney
  • Compositor Nate Shaw
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Jessica Oreck

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