The tea bag was an accidental invention by New York tea importer Thomas Sullivan. In 1908, Sullivan began sending samples of his various tea blends to customers in small silk pouches. He intended for the customers to empty the tea into their pots, but they found it easier to drop the entire pouch into the hot water. After receiving feedback that the silk mesh was too fine for proper steeping, Sullivan developed pouches made of gauze and, eventually, paper. This transformed tea from a messy, loose-leaf ritual into a convenient everyday habit. Today, 96% of tea consumed in the UK is made using a tea bag. Modern tea bags are often pyramid-shaped to allow the leaves more room to expand and release their full flavor.