Why are mugs round?

Senior Moments

The dictionary definition of MUG is 1. A heavy cylindrical drinking cup usually having a handle. 2. The amount that such a cup can hold. So they are generally accepted as being round (in one direction anyway) Jan 07 04, 7:41 AM

BillHMath

The reason they are round is that a cylinder holds the most volume with the least surface area (least cost for making the mug). Actually a sphere would cost less, but you wouldn't be able to put it down. Jan 07 04, 9:02 AM

lothruin

I don't think that is probably the exact reason they are round, actually. Round is a conventional shape for mugs and cups, but they do come in a number of other shapes. Most likey, this can be followed all the way back to the advent of cups. The first vessels were made from what was available, probably leaves or shells or things like coconut husks. These couldn't really be put down without losing some of the contents. As our abilities to adapt these items grew, we were able to add flat bottoms, and then to actually make these items out of things like clay and metal. In addition to being a closer representation of the original items, a cylindrical object was easier to manufacture. It required only one point of solder or other connection along a side, and less material. As our skills grew even more sophisticated, the conventional shape was probably maintained as much for convention's sake as that they were still easier to manufacture, and used less material. Even now, that is likely the case. (Only now, the added facet of economics helps keep the cylindrical shape a mainstay.) Jan 07 04, 10:24 AM

BillHMath

The reason the first vessels (from nature) are round is because nature in general gravitates to the most economic shapes and circles are the most efficient shapes. Nature also tries to get the most benefit from the least amount of material. Jan 07 04, 12:05 PM