Who invented the hot coffee cup band?

It's difficult to pinpoint a single inventor of the hot coffee cup band.

Here's why:

* Evolution, not invention: The design of the hot coffee cup band has likely evolved over time, with many different companies and individuals contributing to its development.

* No specific patent: There isn't a widely known patent for a "hot coffee cup band."

* Common sense: The concept of a protective band for hot cups is relatively simple and may have arisen independently in different places.

However, here are some possibilities:

* Early paper cup manufacturers: Paper cups became popular in the early 20th century, and it's likely that early manufacturers experimented with ways to make them more user-friendly.

* Disposable cup companies: As disposable coffee cups gained popularity, companies like Solo Cup likely played a role in developing and standardizing the hot cup band design.

Ultimately, the hot coffee cup band is an example of a useful design that likely arose from a combination of needs, innovations, and refinements over time.