National Drinking Straw Day, observed worldwide on January 3, celebrates the invention of the modern drinking straw. The day commemorates the patent granted to American inventor Marvin C. Stone for his paper drinking straw on January 3, 1888. The history of drinking straws dates back to the Sumerians, who used them for drinking beer, while Argentinians have utilized a metallic device called a bombilla for mate. In the early 19th century, rye grass straws became popular but were quickly rendered unusable due to their tendency to become mushy in liquid. Stone's innovation involved wrapping paper around a pencil and gluing it to create a thin tube, later coating it with wax to prevent sogginess. Today, drinking straws are commonly made from polypropylene and include both straight and bendable designs, the latter invented by Joseph Friedman in 1937.