Robert Hulseman, creator of the iconic Red Solo Cup seen at frat parties, sizzurp celebrations, and Midwestern family reunions everywhere, has died at age 84. Hulseman, with friend Jack Clements, followed up that iconic container design with another: the Solo traveler coffee cup lid, such a classic design that one of them is now in the New York Museum of Modern Art. From NPR:
Solo was one of the first companies to market small paper cone cups that were common to see alongside water coolers in the 1940s.
The company went on to develop the wax-lined cups used by drive-in movie theaters and fast-food restaurants.
In the 1970’s, Hulseman invented the Red Solo Cup for families to use at picnics but use of the ubiquitous cup took off and it was embraced by all beverage drinkers.
Paul Hulseman, Robert’s son, told The Associated Press that “his father never fully understood how massively popular the large red plastic cup became in pop culture.”
