The tea bag was not invented by a merchant in 1908 after all.
In short: For over a century, the tea bag has been a kitchen staple, but its origin story is widely misattributed. This video clarifies the true history of the invention, correcting a common myth perpetuated by tea manufacturers and historians alike.
While legend traces tea brewing back to 2737 BC under Emperor Shennong, the first documented evidence appears during the Shang Dynasty between 1600 BC and 1046 BC. By the third century BC, tea had evolved from a medicinal elixir into a popular beverage. For centuries, brewing methods remained largely unchanged until the early 20th century.
The common narrative credits tea merchant Thomas Sullivan with inventing the tea bag in 1908. However, evidence shows he was actually preceded by seven years. The true inventors were Roberta C. Lawson and Mary Molaren of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who developed the concept in 1901.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: WTF is Up with the Tea Bag?
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