Although the history of the tea cosy may have begun when
tea was introduced from China to Britain in the 1660s (Pettigrew suggests the origins in the 18th century), the first documented use of a tea cosy in Britain was in 1867. It is probably the
Duchess of Bedford who, by establishing the activity of
afternoon tea in 1840, would have brought the popularity of the tea cosy. During the
Victorian era tea time was important for social interaction, and the absence of central heating made drinks cool down fast, so the use of an insulation jacket for the teapot made sense. Tea cosies started to be used in North America in the same period. Newspapers of the time reveal that tea cosies enjoyed "a sudden and unexpected rise in public favor" among women who hosted
tea parties. Newspapers of the time included advice columns on how to make one: "Some very handsome ones are made of remnants of heavy
brocade, but
linen is generally used, embroidered or not, according to taste, as these covers are washable. Make the covering large enough for your teapot and provide a ring at the top to lift it off with." Tea cosies then flourished during the late 19th century, where they appeared in many households across Britain, motivated by the obsession of decorating and covering objects characteristic of the
Victorian era. The popularity continued into the 20th century, when cosy become an object of
handicraft for both homemakers and craftsmen. The use of cosies dwindled by the end of the 20th century due to the reduced use of teapots (these are not required if the
tea bags are used). ==Art and literature==