Solar Tea jar

This solar tea jar dates from the early 1980s, the period following the Energy Crisis. During the 1970s, war and political turmoil in the Middle East resulted in embargos on oil imported to the United States. Those restrictions caused sharp increases in the cost of energy. Entrepreneurs responded with many products that promoted energy conservation. Some products were new ideas but others, like this tea jar, revived long-known techniques. To make solar tea one simply filled this jar with water, put in tea bags and closed the top. Leaving the jar sit in the sun for a few hours allowed solar heat to brew the tea. One then replaced the plastic dome with a plastic spout to serve the tea.

Currently not on view (funnel)

Currently not on view