There was a time when cup holders in cars were a novelty. But not anymore, as most cars come fitted with cup holders and they have become a standard accessory in most contemporary automobiles. Cup holders are great for those who may have to drive for work or pleasure and who also love sipping on coffee or tea while they are driving.

Cup holders have a lower supporting area that gets folded, and also a ratcheting arm that is able to keep in place beverage holders of various sizes. Many of these are located at the ends of the instrument panel in close proximity to cooling vents. Cup holders assume importance on account of the fact that most meals are accompanied by beverages and people need to support the cups that hold these beverages. While some of these may be large enough to hold even a large Starbucks coffee cup, sometimes only one side of the cup is held by the lower leg with the other end being perched quite precariously.

If you use straight or wedge shaped arms in cup holders, any beverage cup can be held in it. These cup holders are also designed to remain innocuous and almost invisible. While Europeans are indifferent towards cup holders and do not care much for these, Americans just love them immensely. Cup holders are quite a quintessentially American passion.

Cup holders are also a safety device. Hot liquids carried on a wheelchair or scooter user’s lap is highly dangerous. Cup holders are a definite necessity on any beach or lounge chair (great for holding cold beverages). Another essential feature is that the chair be foldable. Not to mention the fact that cup holders are great while traveling on an airplane.

Cup holders can come in metallic finish with satin aluminum or most nowadays are using plastic material. Plastic ones can easily be folded and held together by Velcro Straps, which are used to release the cup holder by removing it from the armrest. These holders are also available in various sizes, dimensions, designs and layouts as well as depth and diameters.

Some of the first cup holders in the US started appearing in Minivans in the 1980s. Since then, cup holders have become quite a rage and as a matter of fact, some of the largest number of cup holders are found in minivans. It is quite true that in this day and age, cup holders have become an integral and quite indispensable part of the North American motoring story.

Blake Masters writes on the drink holder and how it relates to mobility accessories.