Koozies have become ubiquitous nowadays, and you’re probably thinking of joining in on the fun. Well, you should! Because koozies are well worth the hype. They’re cheap, affordable, easy to customize and repurpose.
Oh and they can be fun and quirky too! Here are a few fun facts about koozies sure to keep you invested in these handy, little drink sleeves. But first, a little history.
The History of Koozies
Koozies have a long and interesting history. It is widely acknowledged that the first koozies were created in the 1970s by a company called Radio Cap Corporation. They were initially made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber material known for its insulating properties. However, early koozies were bulky and expensive to produce, so they weren’t all that popular.
In the 1980s, foam koozies became more common and affordable. They quickly gained popularity for their ability to keep drinks cold while also preventing condensation and water rings on furniture. This was the decade that set the stage for how popular koozies would become as a promotional item, with many companies using them to advertise their products and services.
In the 1990s, collapsible fabric koozies were all the rage, and they are still as widely popular today. They are lightweight, compact and easy to customize with logos, slogans, and other designs. Today, koozies are readily available, affordable and used all over the world.
Koozies in Space
Yes, koozies have been to space! In the mid-80s, NASA is reported to have used koozies on space missions as an insulating material for soft drink cans. In a study conducted on the Space Shuttle Discovery, NASA wrapped a koozie around a soft drink can to test the effects of spaceflight on foam insulation. The koozie was used to determine whether foam insulation could prevent the formation of ice on the can’s surface in the zero-gravity environment of space.
Koozies have also been used to insulate and protect other types of equipment in space such as cameras and scientific instruments. The insulating properties of koozies are particularly useful in space, where temperatures can fluctuate rapidly and extreme temperatures can damage sensitive equipment. In all, the lightweight and compact nature of koozies make them an ideal tool for use in space, where incredibly equipment must be protected from extreme conditions.
Koozies Save Lives!
There have been a few instances in recent years when koozies have come to the rescue when it comes to saving a life. In one instance, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina in 2018, a teen who was knocked off his jet ski by a manta ray was saved from drowning when a couple who has lost their koozie in the water turned around to look for it. In another koozie/boating incident, this time in Hillsboro, Missouri, a man had an epileptic seizure and fell into the water, face first. The couple that saved him found him when they saw his Cardinals koozie floating nearby.
All of which is to say, koozies can be a good luck charm! And if you’re a more practical person, then it would perhaps comfort you to know that there have been numerous reports of koozies doing the job of makeshift tourniquets in the case of, say, a snake bite while out hiking or a cut while out fishing. Koozies can do it all!
Koozies go by a Multitude of Different Names
The koozie has become such an essential accessory that there are well over 20 different names for koozies! (Yes, you read that right.)
Here are a few:
- Beer Koozie
- Can Coolers
- Beer Sleeves
- Drink Huggie
- Beer Hugger
- Stubby Holders
- Beer Jacket
- Insulated Sleeves
- Beer Cozy
- Bottle Sleeve
Koozies Have a Variety of Uses
Koozies have a variety of uses beyond keeping your beverage cold. Because they are so easy to customize, koozies can be used as promotional items for businesses, sports teams and other organizations. The custom koozie is also a popular choice for wedding favors, giving couples the opportunity to have their names, wedding date and perhaps a cool message printed on for their special guests to savor.
These nifty can coolers can also be used as fundraising items for schools, charities, and other organizations. They are very easy to produce and affordable too, meaning they can be sold at a markup to raise money for a good cause.
Guinness Record Number of Koozies Owned: 3,715
Yes, there is a Guinness World Record for koozies – referred to on the Official Records as “stubby holders.” Gary Rodgers from La Valle, Wisconsin holds the record for the largest collection of koozies, coming in at a whooping 3,715! Talk about being on the koozie train.
Gary, it was reported, began growing his collection in the summer of 1995 and he has no signs of stopping anytime soon.
What are you waiting for? Get started on your own collection of kustom koozies by hopping onto the Imprint page.
Happy looking!
References
Baird, Sarah. (2015, Aug. 6). “A Brief History of America’s Favorite Beer Companion, the Koozie.” Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://www.eater.com/drinks/2015/8/6/9109317/a-brief-history-of-americas-favorite-beer-companion-the-koozie
Guinness World Records. (2022, Oct. 2). “Largest Collection of Stubby Holders.” Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/largest-collection-of-stubby-holders
Hoskins, Kelley. (2018, Sept. 20). “Man Credits Cardinals Koozie for Saving Him from Drowning.” Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://fox2now.com/news/man-credits-cardinals-koozie-for-helping-save-his-life-from-drowning
WTOC 11. “Lowcountry Teen Thankful to Be Alive After Being Hit by Manta Ray.” Retrieved May 11, 2023, from https://www.wtoc.com/2019/06/07/lowcountry-teen-thankful-be-alive-after-being-hit-by-manta-ray
Swann, Cody. (2014, April 24). “5 Things We Bet You Didn’t Know About Koozies.” Retrieved May 10, 2023, from
https://countryshoreoutfitters.com/blogs/news/13891101-5-things-we-bet-you-didnt-know-about-koozies