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The History of Cupholders
2015 Cadillac CTS
Photo: Paul-Richard GM Center
If you like to stay hydrated on your journey, cupholders are likely an essential feature that you require on whichever new vehicle you purchase. While contemporary vehicles today might not have as many cupholders as the Subaru Ascent (19, which seems a bit much considering its eight-passenger capacity), they typically have at least a few cupholders to keep beverages secure while on the go.
Cupholders weren’t always around, however. You have to wonder exactly when this feature started appearing on vehicles.
Dick’s Drive-In on Broadway, 1955
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives
It turns out that the cupholder trend arose in the 1950s, in the context of the American fast food trend. People started to eat inside of their vehicles more frequently. Drive-ins also surged in popularity.
According to Sam Dean, contributor with bon appétit, the first historical evidence we have of a cupholder prototype is a 1950 newspaper clipping for a snack tray gadget that hung from the dashboard via metal discs and chains.
Two other prototypes were the Automobile Seat Article Holder (a hinged plate wedged between the seats, intended to hold drinks), which was patented in 1953, and Clyde W. Morgan’s Refreshment Tray for Automobile Instrument Panel (which featured two wells to hold drinks).
In 1955, Chevy started including a cup holder indentation on the back of glove compartment doors. This definitely wasn’t meant for keeping beverages secure while the vehicle was in motion, though.
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The magnetic tray of the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham significantly contributed to the development of the modern cupholder.
Photo: DougCameraman
The most effective cupholder design of that era, however, was seen in the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. While it was common for luxury limousines to include built-in bars, this Cadillac model was the first one to include a magnetized glove compartment door and four metal tumblers.
After this innovative contribution, cupholders developed even further in the 60s and 70s until the boom of the minivan in the 80s. Minivan models including the Plymouth Voyager and Dodge Caravan, started incorporating two cup holders into the dashboard itself.
Props to Cadillac and the myriad of other companies that played a role in cupholder design, so we can continue to enjoy having a secure place to store hot beverages during morning commutes. And so we’re less likely to have this unfortunate scenario happen…
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News Sources: The Society Pages, Jalopnik, bon appétit
Whitney Russell resides in Dayton, though her spirit can be found beach-bumming in Puerto Rico (the land of her half-Puerto Rican heritage). When not crafting car-related content, she can be found chasing after the most amazing toddler in the world, watching her “beaver” of a husband build amazing woodworking projects, hanging out with two crazy dogs, and visiting family and friends. She also enjoys traveling, crafting, and binge-watching period dramas when time allows. See more articles by Whitney.