The predecessor to beverage coasters were called “beer mats” and were used in conjunction with beer steins or tankards. Those who were “well off” had lids made of tin or silver that covered the stein. Reason for these lids was to prevent insect, leaves, etc from falling into the beer when drank outside. The less well off beer drinkers used tankards without lids. So to protect their beer, they would place felt mats over the tankard which were used at the time for absorbing beer running down the side of the tankard. At night the felt mats were hung to dry. Obviously, the felt was soon no longer hygienic and adversely influenced the taste of the beer. Consequently a more suitable material had to be found. This happened in 1880 when the first cardboard mat was produced. Then in 1893, Robert Sputh of Dresden Germany patented his process of manufacturing so-called fiber-cast mats which were made from wood pulp. Shortly after the turn of the century, brewery names were printed on the mats. The advent of advertising beer mats had begun! From there evolved the modern day beverage coaster as they are no longer associated only with beer.