How does a Straw work?

Summary

Podcast Summary: "How Does a Straw Work?"

Who Smarted? – January 28, 2026
Host: Adam Tex Davis
Co-host: Jerry Colbert
Guest Character: Marvin Chester Stone (Inventor of the Paper Straw)

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Main Theme & Purpose

This lively episode of "Who Smarted?" explores the science, history, and social impact of the drinking straw—a simple tool with a surprisingly complex story. The hosts use their signature humor and interactive trivia style to show how straws evolved, why they’re both beloved and banned, and the clever science behind how they work. Listeners are taken on a fun and fact-filled adventure to discover how atmospheric pressure lets us sip, why ancient people used straws, and why drinking through one won’t work in space!

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Straws: From Hero to Outlaw (00:27–04:19)

• Environmental Concerns

  • Straws have become controversial due to their environmental impact, especially plastic straws.
  • "Most straws are made with plastic and are harmful for the environment." (Adam Tex Davis, 03:02)
  • Although plastic straws make up only about 4% of global plastic waste, their sheer quantity (hundreds of millions discarded daily) means they contribute significantly to pollution.

• Not All Straw is Bad

  • The confusion between drinking straws and the straw animals eat.
  • "Plastic straws, not so much. They're hurting the environment... People are fine with your straw. Plastic straws, not so much." (Adam Tex Davis, 03:31)
  • True or False trivia clears misconception: most plastic waste isn't from straws, but the problem is growing due to single-use culture.

2. The Viral Video That Changed Straws Forever (05:19–06:05)

• In 2015, a video went viral showing scientists removing a straw from a sea turtle’s nose.
• This spurred public efforts and business changes to reduce plastic straw usage.
• Notable quote:
  "The video showed marine biologists removing a discarded plastic straw from a sea turtle's nose. Since then, there have been efforts to end plastic straw waste." (Adam Tex Davis, 05:39)

3. Modern Solutions and Alternatives (06:09–06:53)

• Paper straws and biodegradable options are making a comeback.
• Some people, especially those with disabilities, still rely on straws.
• Reusable straws (metal, sturdy plastic) are promoted for environmental benefits.

4. History of the Drinking Straw (07:04–09:46)

• Ancient Beginnings

  • Straws date back about 5,000 years to the ancient Sumerians (now Iraq).
  • They drank beer through straws to avoid barley and oat clumps.
  • "Way back then, everyone drank beer—even those under age 21." (Adam Tex Davis, 08:09)

• Straw Prestige

  • Fancy straws made from precious metals appeared in elite burials for the afterlife.
  • Straws were also used in Egypt, East Asia, and by Mayans (for blowing bubbles in chocolate drinks).

• Early Modern Straws

  • By the 1800s, people drank through plant-based straws but faced issues: falling apart, altering drink taste, needing multiples per drink (straw flavor not so appealing!).
  • Notable comedic exchange:
    • "Straw breaks apart too easily, straw is uncomfortable on the tongue, or straw is dirty..." (Adam Tex Davis, 09:13)
    • "It's always good to have lots of straw handy. Am I right, fellas?” (Jerry Colbert, 09:34)

5. The Paper and Bendable Straw Inventions (10:02–12:12)

• Marvin Chester Stone (10:04)

  • Invented the modern paper straw: "Legend has it, he wrapped some paper around a pencil, covered it in wax, and invented the modern paper straw." (Adam Tex Davis, 10:29)

• Joseph Friedman & the Bendable Straw (11:09)

  • Friedman improved convenience using a screw and floss to create grooves (bendy straws).
  • "The indentations allowed the straw to bend without breaking." (Adam Tex Davis, 11:15)
  • First popularized in hospitals so patients could drink lying down.

• The Plastic Straw Boom

  • 1960s: Cheap, strong plastic straws skyrocket in popularity—leading to today’s environmental dilemma.

6. Straws and Science: How Do They Really Work? (15:33–17:42)

• Why Use a Straw?

  • Hygiene (can tops), convenience (ice, avoiding spills), accessibility (hospital patients, disabilities).
  • "Drinking from a straw does have benefits... it can make drinking a lot easier." (Adam Tex Davis, 15:33)

• The Science of Sipping

  • Notable explanation:
    • "When you suck from a straw, what exactly are you sucking up?... You're not actually sucking up liquid, but the air inside the straw." (Adam Tex Davis, 16:20)
    • Atmospheric pressure pushes the liquid into the straw as you remove the air.
    • Demonstrated interactively with a suggestion to try sipping directly from the cup without a straw (harder than it seems!).
    • No air, no pressure, no sip!

• Why Straws Don’t Work in Space

  • “With no atmospheric pressure, there's nothing to push the liquid into your straw, making drinking through it impossible.” (Adam Tex Davis, 17:45)
  • On the space station, straws can work thanks to contained pressure.

7. Memorable Quotes & Humorous Moments

• “Straw again, not that kind of Straw, Smartypants...” (Adam Tex Davis, recurring joke)
• "Oh, we could use more straw here. My friend Donkey had a rough sleep last night." (Jerry Colbert, 06:05)
• "I am Marvin Chester Stone, and I was trying to enjoy my mint julep, but now I'm utterly disgusted." (Marvin Chester Stone, 10:04)
• “That's because with a straw, you're not actually sucking up liquid, but the air inside the straw. Whoa.” (Adam Tex Davis, 16:43)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:27–04:19: Introduction to the straw debate & environmental impact
• 05:19–06:05: Turtle viral video & public reaction
• 06:09–06:53: Why some people need straws & environmental alternatives
• 07:04–09:46: Straw history, Sumerians, Mayans, ancient bling straws
• 10:04–11:09: Marvin Chester Stone invents the paper straw
• 11:09–12:12: Joseph Friedman invents the bendy straw; hospitals
• 15:33–17:42: How a straw works (atmospheric pressure science lesson)
• 17:42–18:04: Why straws don’t work in space

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Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• “Most straws are made with plastic and are harmful for the environment.”
  – Adam Tex Davis, 03:02

• "Plastic straws are only about 4% of the world's plastic waste."
  – Adam Tex Davis, 04:11

• "The video showed marine biologists removing a discarded plastic straw from a sea turtle's nose. Since then, there have been efforts to end plastic straw waste."
  – Adam Tex Davis, 05:39

• "You're not actually sucking up liquid, but the air inside the straw. Whoa."
  – Adam Tex Davis, 16:43

• “With no atmospheric pressure, there's nothing to push the liquid into your straw, making drinking through it impossible.”
  – Adam Tex Davis, 17:45

• "I am Marvin Chester Stone, and I was trying to enjoy my mint julep, but now I'm utterly disgusted."
  – Marvin Chester Stone, 10:04

• “The indentations allowed the straw to bend without breaking.”
  – Adam Tex Davis, 11:15

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Episode Flow and Tone

Consistent with "Who Smarted?" style, the episode is packed with puns, silly misunderstandings (especially the animal straw vs. drinking straw confusion), interactive trivia, and cartoon-like banter. The humor makes scientific information memorable and accessible, especially for kids and families.

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In Summary

This episode turns the simple straw into a gateway for a multi-layered lesson in environmental science, history, and physics—all wrapped up in fun facts and giggles. From ancient Sumerian beer to bendy straw hospital breakthroughs to the science of why you can't sip in outer space, listeners go on a whirlwind journey that proves there’s a lot more to the straw than meets the eye.

Transcript

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Hey there, smarty pants. Is it chilly outside?

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

It's freezing out here.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Are you stuck indoors or are you a lucky smarty pants enjoying a warm day while the rest of us bundle up? Well, no matter what, you probably would love to have more who Smarted and less ads, right?

[Guest/Character (Marvin Chester Stone)]

Yes.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Well then I have great news. It's time to heat up your brain with the Whosmarted Winter Warm up sound.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

That's amazing.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

From right now through January 30th, we are giving you a massive 50 off an annual Whosmarted plus subscription. That's right. It's normally $39.99, but you can grab a whole year of Smarts for just $19.98. Think about that. For about 40 cents a week, you get way less ads so you can enjoy all the episodes uninterrupted. So you can stay in the smarty zone and you get way more who Smarted. Not only do you get ad free listening, but you're also going to get bonus subscriber only episodes. But you have to hurry up. This deal is melting faster than a snowman in a sauna. It's only available directly through our website, so just head to whosmarted.com and click on Winter Warm Up Sale. Don't wait. This offer disappears on January 30th. Stay cool, stay warm, and stay smart. Go to WhoSmarted.com right now and click Winter Warm Up Sale to start getting all these benefits for around 40 cents a week. And you'll be directly supporting the show. Now that's a smarty deal. And now it's time for who's Smarted? Psst. Hey, smarty pants. Brace yourselves because today we're going to meet an outlaw. That's right. A real criminal. In certain parts of the world. Of course, there was once a time this outlaw was admired. In fact, this outlaw was once a hero, popular and well loved. But today, its enemies, namely environmentalists, have put this once beloved hero on the most wanted list. And whether it's straight, bendy, twisty or downright crazy, this once respected and paper wrapped object has become a polarizing figure. It's even been banned in certain cities around the world. Smarty pants, any idea what object I'm referring to here? I'll give you a hint. That's right. I'm talking about the straw.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

My word. They're banning straws. I gotta tell the other cattle. Hey cows. They're banning straws.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Whoa, whoa, Bessie. Nobody's banning your straw.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

They're not?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

No, I'm talking about the drinking Straight.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Oh, that little thing. Why would they make such a fuss over that?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Smarty pants? Do you know? Is it because A straws are made by evil mad scientists, B straws cause thousands of accidental nose and eye injuries, or C most straws are made with plastic and are harmful for the environment? Yep, I know most of you guessed the correct answer. C.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

What about my straw? Is that bad for the environment too?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

No, no. The straw you and the other cows chew is made from grains and it's used by farmers to grow their gardens. Cows love chewing it because it helps with digestion. Not to mention it's a popular bed for animals to sleep on because it's so fluffy. Right again. People are fine with your straw. Plastic straws, not so much. They're hurting the environment. Smartypants, true or false? Most of the world's plastic waste is made by drinking straws. The answer is false. Contrary to what you may have heard, plastic straws are only about 4% of the world's plastic waste.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Phew, you got me. I thought they were a big problem, but. Oh, there's a but.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

But they are a big problem. That's because all around the world, hundreds of millions of straws are thrown away every day. So the environmental threat is growing. But straws are kind of unnecessary. Most people can drink without them, but people do like them a lot. Not to mention some people rely on straws. So what's being done to make straws? Saf, how exactly do straws work? And why can't you use one in space? It's time for a whiff of history and science on who smarted?

[Guest/Character (Marvin Chester Stone)]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you? Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun. But who's smarted?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Smarty pants? We just mentioned how plastic straws have suddenly become unpopular for some. That started in 2015 with a viral video showing a straw hurting. What kind of animal was it? A, a cow, B a sea turtle, or C a dolphin?

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Not a cow, I hope. We just love our straw.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Again, not that type of straw. But also, the video did not feature a cow. The answer is B. The video showed marine biologists removing a discarded plastic straw from a sea turtle's nose. Since then, there have been efforts to end plastic straw waste. Coffee shop chains like Starbucks have moved away from plastic straws, as have many fast food restaurants and airlines. In some cities, you only get a straw if you ask for one.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Oh, we could use more straw here. My friend Donkey had a rough Sleep last night?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Nope, not that kind of strawberry.

[Guest/Character (Marvin Chester Stone)]

Sorry.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Just making sure.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

But not all straws are disappearing. That's a good thing, too, because some people, especially those who might be sick or have certain disabilities, absolutely need straws to drink beverages. You may have noticed paper straws making a comeback. Also, scientists are developing more biodegradable plastic straws. But if you really want to help the environment, you can get a reusable straw made of metal or sturdier plastic. That's because the real problem is most people use straws once and then throw them away.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

You don't chew them.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Actually, some people do, and then they throw them away.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

So how did y' all get hooked on using straws in the first place, smarty pants?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Can you guess when straws first became a thing? Was it A, the 1950s, B, during the Middle Ages, or C, in ancient times? The answer is C. Ancient times. Believe it or not, ancient Sumerians who lived in what is now Iraq were using straws about 5,000 years ago. Next question. Smarty pants. Can you guess what early beverage these ancient people drank with their straws? Was it A, milk, B, grape juice, or C, beer? While most people don't use straws for it today, ancient Sumerians used straws to drink beer. Beer back then had clumps of barley and oats in it left over from the process of making it. So Sumerians used straws to avoid drinking those. Also, straws allowed more than one person to sip from the same big container. Oh, yeah. And way back then, everyone drank beer, even those under age 21.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

That's because they loved straw. Come on, gang. They've got straw.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Whoa, Bessie. I told you. It's not that kind of straw. Although some of these ancient straws were covered in precious metals and stones. In fact, many wealthy ancients were buried with their decorative straws so they could keep drinking in the afterlife. Bup. In other parts of the ancient world, in places like Egypt and East Asia, people used straw, like tubes for all kinds of beverages. The ancient Mayans even used straws to blow bubbles into their chocolate drinks. And not all of these tubes were fancy. A lot were made from plant materials such as dried reeds, grasses, and, well, straw.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Straw. Now we're talking. Let's go, fellas.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Yes. Yes. By the 1800s, people were using your type of straw to drink. But there was a problem.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

A problem? What kind of problem could you possibly.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Have with straw, smarty pants? Care to guess? Was it A, straw breaks apart too easily, B, straw is uncomfortable on the Tongue or c. Straw is dirty. The answer is a. A person often needed multiple straws to get through one drink.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

It's always good to have lots of straw handy. Am I right, fellas?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

The straw also changed the flavor of a drink, making it taste more like.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Well, straw sounds delicious. Who doesn't love eating?

[Guest/Character (Marvin Chester Stone)]

My word. I am not going to drink a beverage like some common donkey.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Uh, and who are you?

[Guest/Character (Marvin Chester Stone)]

I am Marvin Chester Stone, and I was trying to enjoy my mint julep, but now I'm utterly disgusted.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Hey, pal, is that some kind of cow pon? Don't be insulting the livestock.

[Guest/Character (Marvin Chester Stone)]

No, no, it's not you. It's the straw. It keeps falling apart. There's got to be a better way to enjoy a cool drink.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Ah, and Mr. Stone here did find a better way. Legend has it, he wrapped some paper around a pencil, covered it in wax, and invented the modern paper straw. Because it was cheap to make and lasted longer in drinks, the paper straw started to appear everywhere. Then, in the 1930s, inventor Joseph Friedman made straws even easier to use with a screw. Sparty pants. Can you guess what he did? A, he put the screw inside the straw to make it wider. B. He used it to make the straw bend. Or C, he used it to hang the straw on a wall. The answer is B.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

But how on earth can you use a solid screw to make a straw bend?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Imagine a screw. It has grooves, right? Joseph Friedman realized that if he put a screw inside a straw and. And wrapped floss around those grooves, the straw itself would get indentations when he took the screw out of the straw, the indentations allowed the straw to bend without breaking. Smarty pants. Can you guess where bendable straws first became popular? Was it in schools, at amusement parks, or at hospitals? The answer is hospitals. Hospitals loved the bendable straw because patients could use it to drink while in bed. Then, in the 1960s, plastic straws came about, and these were cheaper and stronger than the paper ones. Suddenly, they were everywhere. Whoa. People loved how you could just use them once and then just throw them away and, well, you know what happened?

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

My straw is better, but not for drinking.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

For that, plastic straws are better, except in space.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Why can't you use them in space?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

It has to do with the way straws work.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

How do they work?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

That's a great question, and I'm going to tell you all about it right after this quick break and a word from our sponsor. As the trusty narrator. I've taken the smarty pants on countless adventures. I'll do anything for the fans. But off mic, I prefer to keep my adventures in the safe space of my own backyard. However, even a homebody like me can't avoid the unexpected chaos that comes with family life. Take last week for example. My niece was staying with me when she came down with a nasty cold in the middle of the night. I couldn't leave her alone to get medicine. And that's when I remembered Doordash is there for you. Whatever you need, whenever you need it. With a few taps on my phone, I had cough syrup and tissues delivered right to my door. Doordash saved the night and my niece was back to her energetic self in no time. Oh, and did I order a little ice cream for myself. Yes, I did, and Doordash brought it right to my door. So while I may not be the biggest fan of real life adventures, I'm grateful that Doordash is always there to help me navigate life's little emergencies. When life happens, get a little order delivered with DoorDash order now. Hey smartypants, trusty narrator here. Do you love music as much as I do, but find learning how to play it a little confusing? I sure did. When I was a kid taking piano lessons, music sometimes felt like a mystery. I could press the keys, but I didn't always understand why it worked and that made it hard to learn. That's why I love what my friend Will has created. Music With Will is a live online music program for musically curious kids aged 7 to 12. Instead of just copying songs, kids discover how music actually works in a playful, creative aha moment kind of way. Will was home educated himself and music felt like a black box to him growing up. After nearly 20 years of teaching, he built a program he he wishes he'd had using ear first learning with singing, listening and pattern spotting. No musical background needed at all. There's two live 60 minute lessons every month, recordings you can access anytime, and tons of flexibility. Parents and kids are loving how this is unlocking musical potential and to get you started, Will is offering the smarty fans 10% off the already very low monthly price and you even get a 14 day free trial so you can see how awesome it is before you pay a thing. I can tell you there is no better deal for awesome kid centric music lessons anywhere. Check it [e-mail] WhoSmarted that's musicwithwill.com WhoSmarted now back to WhoSmarted. Okay smarty pants, we know people use lots of straws. Straw again, not that kind of Straw, Smartypants, can you think of reasons why you'd want to use a straw?

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Straw is good for sleeping, chewing hay rads. Oh, right, Smarty pants.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Drinking from a straw does have benefits. As we mentioned, people with disabilities who are unable to hold their drink or have use of their arms rely on straws. Same goes for someone in a hospital bed. And if you're drinking from a can, it keeps your mouth away from potential germs on top of the can. Most of all, it can make drinking a lot easier, helping you navigate a drink filled with ice and or avoiding disastrous spills that come from tipping your cup. But, smarty pants, have you ever thought about how straws work? Try this the next time you have a straw. Oh, and if you have a straw right now, try drinking liquid from it.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Me too.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Sure, but with this reusable straw, not the kind you sleep on.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Mmm. This is nice, cool water, refreshing and easy to drink.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Exactly, Smarty pants. When you suck from a straw, what exactly are you sucking up? Okay, I heard a lot of you say the liquid. Good guess, but it's not quite right. Try this. Remove the straw, put your mouth in your cup, and try sucking up your drink. Not so easy to do, huh?

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Oh, dear, I'm out of breath.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

So, smarty pants, why can't you suck up the liquid? That's because with a straw, you're not actually sucking up liquid, but the air inside the straw. Whoa. And because the straw is small, you can get rid of all the air inside it quickly. Air has weight called atmospheric pressure. When you suck up all the air, the liquid inside the straw no longer has anything pushing down on it, so it rushes up. Meanwhile, the liquid inside your cup is still being pushed down by atmospheric pressure, so it gets squeezed into your straw and up into your mouth. That is, until you stop sucking and let air back into the straw. Or you finish your drink. So now, knowing this, why do you think straws won't work in space? Is it because a liquid would freeze in space? B, B, nobody would survive drinking in space? Or C, there's no atmosphere in space? Oh, my.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Space sounds rough.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

That's for sure. And while all three answers are correct, the one that relates to how a straw operates is C. With no atmospheric pressure, there's nothing to push the liquid into your straw, making drinking through it impossible. Then again, if you find yourself in outer space, straws might be the least of your worries.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

But hold on, Trustee. I've seen astronauts on the space station use straws.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

Ah, but inside the space station, that's different. The space station has air and atmospheric pressure. That's because the people living there need that to breathe. So as long as you're inside a spaceship or space station, you can still use a straw.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

Straw?

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

For the last time, I'm not talking about the straw that grows on farms.

[Co-host (Jerry Colbert)]

No, I meant I just discovered a nice bed made out of straw right here. I can't wait to get some sleep.

[Host (Adam Tex Davis)]

You know. I'll drink to that. Cheers. A big shout out to super smarty fan Oscar in Asheville, North Carolina. We hear you love who Smarted because it's funny and is filled with good information. And we hear that you particularly like Chet Nickerson. Oh, that's so cool. A big thank you from me. And of course, Chet Nickerson. This episode, Straws was written by Dave the Last Straw Beaudry and voiced by Laura Rondinella and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design by Josh Crazy Straw Hahn. Our associate producer is Max Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Steven Spitball Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam Tex Davis. Who Smarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Audio production.