How A Wartime Invention Shaped Every Diner Mug You Know

If you walk into any American diner, chances are you'll be served your morning cup of joe in a gleaming porcelain mug, with sturdy, thick walls, an extra-wide handle, and a distinctive hourglass shape that feels custom-tailored to the palm of your hand. Whether they're the classic white or branded with the restaurant's logo, they're an undeniably iconic piece of Americana. Not to mention, they're one of the most common items stolen from diners. But no matter what corner of the country you find yourself dining in, those mugs tend to look the same, which, surprisingly, is the result of a bit of wartime ingenuity. 

Back in the 1940s, amidst the onslaught of the Second World War, the US Navy sought to partner with an American company not for manufacturing bullets or bombs, but rather a new type of coffee mug that could withstand the intense rocking of the waves in choppy seas. You see, previous mugs would tip over and shatter if the navy's ships hit rough waters — an inconvenience at best, a dangerously hot and sharp situation at worst. Even if the mugs didn't fall, the flimsy handles would crumble if they bumped into the wall or another mug. The Navy eventually awarded the contract to New York-based Victor Insulators, which had previously created and patented a wet-process porcelain formula designed to endure high-voltage conditions. At the time, you'd frequently find the company's porcelain insulators atop utility poles across the nation, but now, it's arguably most famous for its drinkware.

At first, Victor Insulators made a heavy-duty coffee mug sans handle. While arguably more difficult to hold in soldiers' hands, the insulative heat resistance, yet simultaneous strength of the treated porcelain material kept drinks hot for a long time. And if they were to fall over, the mugs would bounce back without damage. The company then produced another, more streamlined design (still no handle) featuring that now-beloved curvy, concave shape. Plus, the exposed, less-smooth porcelain material at the bottom of the mug kept drinks from sliding around whilst on the open sea. Post-war, the company continued its momentum, selling coffee mugs now in the private sector. The size was reduced, and an accessible handle was tacked on. 

Needless to say, the design spread throughout American diners and coffee shops like wildfire. With its no-nonsense, ergonomic design and durability, it was a no-brainer for restaurants. And, taking advantage of the popular product, cheaper copycat mugs sprang up left and right, which, while increasing the number of porcelain coffee cups on the market, ultimately led to Victor Insulators' drinkware downfall. After 1987, the company stopped producing mugs and instead shifted its focus back to porcelain insulators, which it still produces today. While Victor mugs aren't around anymore, the company's cups are still in demand. Mugs are a common find at vintage shops, yard sales, and online auctions, prized for both straight sipping and any number of the brilliant uses for old coffee mugs out there.