INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS WITH A SPECIAL BE AN INVENTOR UNIT

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1 A RESEARCH-AND-LEARN BOOK INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS WITH A SPECIAL BE AN INVENTOR UNIT Written by Vowery Carlile Illustrated by Karen Birchak

2 The purchase of this book entitles the individual teacher to reproduce copies of the student pages for use in his or her classroom exclusively. The reproduction of any part of the work for an entire school or school system or for commercial use is prohibited. ISBN Educational Impressions, Inc., Hawthorne, NJ EDUCATIONAL IMPRESSIONS, INC. Hawthorne, NJ Printed in the United States of America.

3 Table of Contents Introduction INVENTORS AND THEIR INVENTIONS: Stories and Discussion Questions Marvin Stone and Drinking Straws Clarence Crane and Life Savers Candy Whitcomb L. Judson and the Zipper James Naismith and Basketball Hugh Moore and the Dixie Cup Earl Dickson and Band-Aids Levi Strauss and Blue Jeans Ralph Samuelson and Water Skis Ruth Wakefield and Chocolate-Chip Cookies Chester Greenwood and Earmuffs RESEARCH UNIT BE AN INVENTOR UNIT Bibliography...96 Educational Impressions, Inc. 3

4 Marvin Stone and Drinking Straws Marvin Stone saw a need to make drinking his favorite beverage better, so he invented the drinking straw. Marvin was a manufacturer of paper cigarette holders. He worked all day in his factory. After work Marvin would stop by the tavern and get his favorite drink, a mint julep, which is a mint-flavored cold beverage. Because the drink was much better if it was very cold, he was given a grass straw to drink it. A straw made it possible to drink the beverage without holding the glass, keeping the drink cold for a longer period of time. There was a problem with the straws, however. At that time straws were made from rye grass. Drinking from them made the drinks taste like the grass. Also, the grass straw was dried out and reused, which caused it to crack and allowed dust to get in the drink. Marvin thought there must be a better way to enjoy his favorite drink. He began to see a connection between making a paper cigarette holder and making a drinking straw. He began by winding long, thin strips of paper around a pencil and then gluing the ends so the paper would not unwind. After trying out his new straw, Marvin was pleased. He made several and left them at the tavern for his personal use. Soon people noticed him drinking from the paper straws and asked if they, too, could have one. This prompted Marvin to begin producing the straws to sell to others. Lemonade was a popular beverage. Marvin thought that a larger straw would be good to use in lemonade. He settled on a straw about 8-inches in length. He made it just large enough so that lemon seeds would not get lodged in it. As Marvin refined the straw, he began to use a wax-coated manila paper that would not get soggy when emerged in liquid. Just as Marvin predicted, the straw's popularity and usefulness soon became apparent to the public. There was a great demand for his straws. On January 3, 1888, he received a patent for the spiral winding process used to make the straws and began manufacturing the drinking straw. By 1890, his company was making more straws than cigarette holders. Through the years the straw has evolved to different sizes, shapes and types, but the original straw will remain Marvin Stone's great contribution to the beverage world. 8 Educational Impressions, Inc.

5 Marvin Stone Discussion Questions 1. What prompted Marvin to invent the straw? 2. What was Marvin's favorite drink? 3. Explain the benefit of using a straw. 4. How did the grass straw affect the taste of the drink? 5. Why was it easy for Marvin to make the straws? 6. For what did Marvin Stone receive a patent? 7. In what year did he receive the patent? 8. What helped Marvin decide on the size of the straw? 9. What encouraged Marvin to produce the straws for sale? 10. How did he improve his original straw? 9 Educational Impressions, Inc.

6 Marvin Stone Open-Ended Questions 1. The grass straws were reused. Do you think this was healthy? Why or why not? 2. Compare and contrast cigarette papers and straws. 3. What other ways might Marvin have made the first straw? 4. How might you design a new straw? Tell about it. 5. Why, do you think, was Marvin's straw in such high demand? 6. How do you think Marvin might have marketed his straw? 7. Do you think it might have looked strange to see someone drinking from a paper tube? Why or why not? 8. What other way might they have used to keep drinks cold in those days? 9. Have you ever had a problem that you tried to solve with some new idea? If so, tell about it. 10. Do you think Marvin is a good example of an inventor? Explain your answer. 10 Educational Impressions, Inc.

Marvin Stone Extra Activities Make your own drinking straw simulating Marvin s method. Share your model with the class. Make up an acrostic poem using the words DRINKING STRAW.

7 Marvin Stone Extra Activities Make your own drinking straw simulating Marvin s method. Share your model with the class. Make up an acrostic poem using the words DRINKING STRAW. Explain how drinking straws have changed since Marvin Stone invented his. Draw a chart that shows examples of some interesting straws. Write a song about Marvin s invention. Use a known melody or an original one and sing the song to the class. Educational Impressions, Inc. 11

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments-Modified

Name Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments-Modified Reading Item Sampler Grade 8 ITEM SAMPLERS ARE NOT SECURE TEST MATERIALS. THIS ITEM SAMPLER TEST BOOK MAY BE COPIED OR DUPLICATED. 18 Point State of Minnesota