In 1980s, special type of coffee cups had been designed which were dome-shaped to maintain the signature topping of foam on the coffee. Hence suitable enough for the modern day Espresso machine produced coffee. These dome-shaped lids had headroom for the foam. Respectively, inventors responded accordingly and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office had received nine patents for coffee-cup lids. 1984 saw the firm Solo filing patent for the invention of Traveller Lid which was sleek, dome-shaped with protruded rim and also depression for accommodating the nose while sipping. In 2005, Museum of Modern Art added this Traveller Lid to its permanent collection.
In 1990s, as safety had become predominant, as a result the use of paper cups had come into use once again. Howard Schultz, owner of Starbucks, chose to go for the paper cups over foam cups. In 1991, Jay Sorenson from Portland, invented Java Jacket, a cardboard sleeve around the cup that improved the insulation. Another inventor from Florida named Tim Sprunger invented a coffee lid which has an extra compartment for the nose to enhance the smell and taste of the coffee at once.
Coffee cups have, actually, evolved for a specific function and over the years they have become a combination of both function and look wise.