Mug - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mug
Mug
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A mug is a type of cup typically used for drinking hot beverages, such as coffee, hot chocolate, soup, or tea. Mugs usually have handles[1] and hold
a larger amount of fluid than other types of cup. Usually a mug holds approximately 12 US fluid ounces (350 ml) of liquid; double a tea cup. A mug is
a less formal style of drink container and is not usually used in formal place settings, where a teacup or coffee cup is preferred. Shaving mugs are used
to assist in wet shaving.
Ancient mugs were usually carved in wood or bone, or shaped of clay, while most modern ones are made of ceramic materials such as bone china,
earthenware, porcelain, or stoneware. Some are made from strengthened glass, such as Pyrex. Other materials, including enameled metal, plastic, or
steel are preferred, when reduced weight or resistance to breakage is at a premium, such as for camping. A travel mug is insulated and has a cover with
a small sipping opening to prevent spills. Techniques such as silk screen printing or decals are used to apply decorations such as logos or images, which
are fired onto the mug to ensure permanence.
History
Early mugs
Wooden mugs were produced probably from the oldest time, but most of them have not survived intact.[2][3]
The first pottery was shaped by hand and was later facilitated by invention of the potter's wheel (date unknown, between 6,500 and 3000 BCE). It was
relatively easy to add a handle to a cup in the process thus producing a mug. For example, a rather advanced, decorated clay mug from 40005000
BCE was found in Greece.[4]
The biggest disadvantage of those clay mugs was thick walls unfit for the mouth. The walls were thinned with development of metalworking
techniques. Metal mugs were produced from bronze,[5] silver, gold,[6] and even lead,[7] starting from roughly 2000 BCE, but were hard to use with hot
drinks.
The invention of porcelain around 600 CE in China brought a new era of thin-walled mugs suitable both for cold and hot liquids, which are enjoyed
today.[2][8]
Shaving mugs and scuttles
A shaving scuttle and shaving mug were developed around the 19th century; the first patent for a shaving mug is dated 1867.[9] As hot water
was not common in many households, one way to provide hot lather was to use a scuttle or mug. A traditional scuttle resembles a teapot with a wide
spout where hot water is poured in; this is where it differs from a shaving mug, which has no spout. Both shaving scuttles and mugs usually have a
handle, but some have none. Shaving mugs often look like a standard mug, however, some also have a built in brush rest, so the brush does not sit in
lather. Modern versions of the scuttle are in limited production, usually by independent potters working in small volumes.[10]
At the top of the scuttle or mug is a soap holder. Traditionally, it was used with a hard block of shaving soap (rather than soft soap or cream) and
therefore had drain holes at the bottom. Later scuttles and mugs do not include the holes, and thus can be used with creams and soft soaps. Some
scuttles and mugs have concentric circles on the bottom, which retain some water thus helping to build lather.[10]
In use, the shaving brush is dunked into the wide spout, allowing it to soak into the water and heat up. The soap is placed in the soap holder. When
needed, one can take the brush and brush it against the soap, bringing up a layer of lather; excess water is drained back. This allows conservation of
water and soap, whilst retaining enough heat to ensure a long shave.
Tiki mugs
Tiki mugs, drinking vessels usually made of ceramics, originated in mid-20th century tropical themed restaurants and tiki bars. The term "Tiki
mugs" is a generic, blanket term for sculptural drink ware that depict imagery from Melanesia, Micronesia, or Polynesia, and more recently
anything tropical or related to surfing. Often sold as souvenirs, tiki mugs are highly collectable. Modern manufacturers include Muntiki and Tiki Farm.
Individual artists, such as Van Tiki, also produced limited one-of-a-kind hand sculpted mugs.[11]
Travel mugs
Travel mugs (introduced in the 1980s) generally employ thermal insulation properties for transporting hot or cold liquids. Similar to a vacuum
flask, a travel mug is usually well-insulated and completely enclosed to prevent spillage[12] or leaking, but will generally have an opening in the
cover through which the contents can be consumed during transportation without spillage.
Mugs with inner and outer walls, but not vacuum treated, are generally called double wall mugs. Usually stainless steel will be used for the inner wall
while outer wall can be stainless steel, plastic, or even embedded with other materials.
Mugs designed for usage when driving are called auto mugs or commuter mugs, as they enable users to enjoy a beverage while driving. Travel mugs
have a spill-proof lid with a sipping opening[13] and in many cases, a narrower base, so that they will fit into the cup-holders that are built into many
vehicles. Additional criteria for evaluating auto mugs include: they must be easy to open single-handedly (to prevent distractions while driving),
include a fill line (to prevent over-filling, which contributes to leaking), preferably have no handles (no-handled mugs are easier to grab while driving),
should not obstruct a driver's view of the road when he or she is drinking, and - with regard to cup-holders be able to fit, stably, into a wide range of
mug holders.[14][15][16]
Other types of mugs
Amusement mugs
The whistle mug or hubblebubble is an amusement mug. It has a hollow handle which can be blown through the mug like a whistle. With an empty
mug, only one note is emitted, whereas a filled mug produces melodious trills and warblings.[17]
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