For about a century, measuring liquid meant a little ritual. Pour. Crouch to counter level. Squint. Pour a bit more. Crouch again. Every recipe came with a free set of squats.
Then someone asked a better question.
It started with brownies
Inventor Steve Hoeting was making a family brownie recipe when the crouch-and-squint routine got old. His fix was simple: put the ruler inside the cup, tilted at an angle, so you can read the level by looking straight down. He and his cousin Michael, both toy designers, built a prototype.
Through their design firm, Bang Zoom Design, they filed for a patent in 1999. In 2001, they were granted U.S. Patent 6,263,732 for a measuring cup with a diagonal ramp inside. With the patent filed, they took their prototype to OXO. The OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup launched in 2001.
The problem nobody mentioned
When OXO asked people what bugged them about measuring cups, they listed the usual suspects: glass that breaks, handles that slip, cups that get hot. Nobody said “the bending.” It had been part of cooking for so long that it didn’t feel like a problem. But when researchers watched people measure, there it was: bend, check, repeat.
Why it’s universal design
Universal design means making one thing that works better for everyone. This cup does that:
- Your back gets the day off. You read from above, so there’s no stooping. That’s a win for anyone with back pain, balance concerns, or just a long day behind them.
- Fewer steps, less guesswork. You see the level while you pour, so there’s no fill-check-adjust loop. It’s easier to follow and easier to get right.
- A handle that holds on. The soft, non-slip grip stays steady with wet or greasy hands and is friendly to tired or stiff fingers.
- Clear, readable markings. Cups, ounces, and milliliters, all on one easy-to-read ramp.
That fits OXO’s roots. The Good Grips line began when founder Sam Farber noticed his wife, who had arthritis, struggling with ordinary kitchen tools. So, he made better ones, for her and for everybody.
Still getting better
In 2024, OXO refreshed the classic. The new cup is made from 50% recycled plastic, and the markings are built to last instead of wearing off after years of washing. It’s good for your back and a little kinder to the planet too.
The takeaway
The best accessible design often doesn’t look like accessibility gear at all. It looks like a measuring cup, and it makes the job a little easier for whoever picks it up.
Get the OXO Good Grips Angled Measuring Cup on Amazon
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