Another Review of Summertime Inventions

In this prior post in May 2023, I reviewed some interesting inventions and innovations evoking summertime fun, including a look at U.S. Design Patent No. D584,478 for a unique bun design that could accommodate inventor Mark Murray’s unique “hamdog,” comprising a hamburger split in half to allow a hot dog to be placed in between. Since we are officially moving into Summer 2025, I thought it might be time to take a closer look at some other “cool” inventions for cookouts and picnics.

The most essential item for a successful cookout is the grill.  In the early 1950s, George A. Stephen, anemployee of Weber Brothers Metal Works invented what is universally known today as the Weber Grill. At the time, Weber Brothers made metal buoys for the U.S. Coast Guard. Stephen invented his “George’s Barbecue Kettle” by cutting a metal buoy to form a bowl with a lid.  He added some vents, and the iconic dome-shaped grill design was created. The shape of Stephen’s design improved heat distribution while reducing flare-ups and protecting the food on the grill from windy weather and debris in the air.  Stephen received numerous patents for his grill deigns over the years, including U.S. Patent No. 3,330,266 in 1967 for “Barbecue Vessel.”

No cookout would be complete without a full line-up of condiments. Preferences may vary when it comes to what is proper for a hamburger or hot dog, but the ubiquitous options will continue to be ketchup and mustard. Those of us of a certain age recall the difficulty in getting ketchup out of a glass bottle without having to wait too long. Sometimes, the process could be sped up if you knew where on the bottle to give a nice tap. I was often successful hitting the “57” formed into the bottle. Once the ketchup started coming out, a second problem often arose - trying to avoid having a red tsunami of ketchup drown the burger. The introduction of the plastic squeeze bottle expedited the process so we could enjoy our hamburger or hotdog more quickly with less mess. The most recent innovation to condiment bottle technology was the development of the upside-down bottle, which made sure the ketchup is already at the opening ready to be squeezed onto our food when needed while also providing an extra level of control so only the amount of ketchup wanted is dispensed. The invention of the upside-down bottle design is attributed to Paul Brown and Tim Socier who developed unique valve technology used in many applications from shampoo bottles to leak-proof cups developed by NASA.  Brown and Socier’s valve comprised a slitted dome that facilitated the control of dispensing a liquid from a squeeze-bottle. When the bottle is squeezed, slits open and allow the flow of a liquid. When the pressure is relieved, air sucks back into the dome, the slits close and leaks are prevented. This invention truly revolutionized the art of condiment delivery.

In the 1970s, the SOLO Cup Company introduced a red plastic cup that would become iconic and ubiquitous for cookouts and picnics.  In 2011, country singer Toby Keith released a song call Red Solo

Cup with the lyric “Red solo cup is the best receptacle, for barbecues, tailgates, fairs, and festivals.”  Generally known as the “SOLO Cup,” the plastic cup was a simple design that helped everyone enjoy a beverage of choice at a cookout. When the cookout was over, the cup could just be thrown away, along with paper plates and plastic utensils, saving much time on clean-up. The SOLO Cup Company was founded by Leo Hulsemen in 1936, making disposable paper cone cups designed to improve public health and safety. Later, the company expanded into plastic designs, providing a disposable cup that could be used multiple times and then be disposed of when no longer needed. In 1976, the company received U.S. Patent No 3,951,266 for its “Thin Walled Cup” invention. It is estimated that SOLO Cup Company sells over 7.4 billion cups and lids annually!

Lastly, every cookout needs dessert.  A classic summertime dessert is a good old-fashioned ice cream cone. Legend has it that the waffle cone grew in popularity at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. However, it is disputed as to who can claim to have invented the waffle cone. At least 4 different groups claim to have invented the edible waffle cone. The first patent related to a waffle cone was issued in 1903, a year prior to the World’s Fair. Italo Marchiony received U.S. Patent No. 746,266 for his “Mold” which related to the quick production of edible cups or any other desired shapes. The International Dairy Foods Association, however, credits Ernest Hamwi with inventing the waffle cone. It has been reported that Hamwi came to the rescue when an ice cream vendor ran out of bowls. Hamwi quickly rolled one of his wafer-like waffles into a cone shape to hold ice cream. Regardless of who actually invented the waffle-cone, we can all appreciate a nice treat on a hot summer day.

So, think about the ingenuity of these entrepreneurial-minded inventors as you’re waiting for the grill to warm up and the ice cream to be scooped.