Who invented Coca-Cola?
Quick answer
Coca-Cola was created by John Stith Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1886. It was first sold on May 8, 1886, at Jacob’s Pharmacy for 5 cents a glass, mixed with carbonated water at the soda fountain. His bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, named it and wrote the famous flowing script logo.
Key facts
- Inventor
- John Stith Pemberton (1831–1888)
- First sold
- May 8, 1886, Atlanta, Georgia
- Price
- 5 cents a glass
- Name and logo
- Frank M. Robinson
From medicine to soft drink
Like many drinks of the time, Coca-Cola was first marketed as a tonic that claimed to cure headaches and tiredness. Pemberton, a Civil War veteran, had earlier made a wine-based drink but switched to a nonalcoholic version when Atlanta introduced temperance laws.
Where the name came from
| Ingredient | Source |
|---|---|
| Coca | Extract of coca leaves |
| Cola | Kola nuts, a source of caffeine |
Robinson thought the two Cs would look good in advertising. Early Coca-Cola contained a small amount of cocaine from the coca leaves; it was removed in the early 1900s. Today, flavoring from coca leaves is used only after the cocaine has been removed.
Who made it famous?
Pemberton sold most of his rights before he died in 1888. Businessman Asa Griggs Candler gained control of the company and turned it into a national brand with clever marketing, including coupons for free drinks.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1886 | First glass sold in Atlanta |
| 1894 | First bottled Coca-Cola, in Mississippi |
| 1915 | The contour bottle is designed, recognizable even in the dark |
| 1931 | Haddon Sundblom’s Santa Claus ads help popularize the modern image of Santa |
| 1985 | “New Coke” flops; “Coca-Cola Classic” returns within months |
The secret formula
The exact recipe is famously secret. Since 2011, the written formula has been kept in a vault at the World of Coca-Cola museum in Atlanta.
How the fizz works
Coca-Cola’s bubbles come from carbon dioxide dissolved under pressure; see what makes soda fizzy. For its caffeine compared to coffee, see how much caffeine is in coffee.
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