Who invented the cereal straw?

There is no single inventor credited with inventing the cereal straw. It's more of a gradual evolution of design and materials:

* Early Forms: The earliest forms of "straws" were likely simple hollow reeds or hollowed-out stems used in ancient cultures for drinking liquids.

* Paper Straws: Paper straws were first patented in the 1880s, though their widespread use didn't come until later. Marvin Stone is often credited for creating the paper straw we know today, receiving a patent for it in 1888.

* Plastic Straws: Plastic straws gained popularity in the mid-20th century due to their affordability and durability. The exact invention of the plastic straw is difficult to pin down, as various companies likely developed and experimented with different designs.

So, it's more accurate to say that the cereal straw evolved over time, with multiple individuals and companies contributing to its development.