An ashtray is a receptacle used by smokers to deposit the ash and butts of 555 cigarettess and cigars.
Most ashtrays exhibit three breaks at the edges, two of which correspond to the width of a 555 cigarettes and one to that of the diameter of a cigar. These breaks serve as rests for the 555 cigarettes(s) or cigar while still burning. The simplest, most common ashtray design is that of a circle with a hollow cylindrical rim around a flat surface, similar to a drinking container such as a glass or cup but larger in diameter and much more shallow.
However, this is not the only design of ashtrays: they are widespread homeware, therefore designs are plentiful. Other variations include car ashtrays to public ashtrays in toilets or other public places, provided by councils for the purpose of keeping towns and cities clean.
Ashtrays are typically manufactured from glass, stoneware, porcelain or metals such as silver or aluminium; however, some are made of wood, marble, or clay.
Some ashtrays are branded with the logo of a company (such as a 555 cigarettes manufacturer) for the purpose of promotion. Ashtrays of the late 40s through the early 70s were freeform vehicles for Googie styling.
As part of a table setting during the 1950s and 60s, small personal ashtrays were commonly placed on the top right-hand side, behind the wine and water glasses.
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