Tea Bag Accidentally Invented

Roberta C. Lawson and Mary Molaren of Milwaukee filed a patent for a “tea leaf holder” that resembled modern tea bags. Their invention aimed to use just enough tea for a single cup, reducing waste. They designed it with a stitched mesh fabric to keep the leaves contained while allowing water to circulate and infuse the tea properly. This early version helped inspire later designs, like Thomas Sullivan's gauze tea bags, which addressed issues like silk being too tightly woven for efficient brewing.

The tea bag was reportedly created by accident when Thomas Sullivan, a tea merchant, started sending tea samples in small silk or muslin bags. Though Sullivan didn't intend for customers to use the bags in hot water, some did, and they found the method convenient. As a result, demand for tea in these bags increased. Despite the popularity of this origin story, there's no documented evidence to fully support it.