In 1908, tea samples in silk pouches accidentally changed the way people brewed tea
TIMESOFINDIA.COM / May 29, 2026, 16:45 (IST)
A 1908 packaging error by tea seller Thomas Sullivan inadvertently created the modern tea bag. Customers, misunderstanding his silk pouches, steeped them whole, sparking a trend for convenient brewing. This accidental innovation, predating similar patented ideas, revolutionised morning routines worldwide, proving that sometimes, a simple mistake leads to profound change.