Drawing only from memory and oral history, friends and I remember using 
waxed paper straws well into the 1960s. I personally believe the shift to 
plastic occurred in the late 1960s coinciding with the rise of MacDonalds, 
the Krystal, Dairy Queen, and other fast food chains.  Now the damn things 
are in every field and stream near a road:(

dan allen
cumberland Research group, inc.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sarah Miller" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 12:13 PM
Subject: Drinking straws


> Does anyone know of a citable reference (preferably
> not from the internet) for the beginning date of the
> plastic drinking straw and/or the date around which it
> came into common use?  I have info on the history of
> the drinking straw in general, and a date for flexible
> drinking straws, but nothing about specific dates for
> the plastic drinking straw.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Cheers,
>
> Sarah
>
>
>
>
> Sarah E. Miller
> Kentucky Archaeological Survey
> 1020 A. Export Street
> Lexington, KY 40506
> USA
>
> phone: 859-257-1944
> fax:     859-323-1968
>
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