The History of Coca-Cola

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The History of Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola company started out as an insignificant one man business and

over the last one hundred and ten years it has grown into one of the

largest companies in the world. The first operator of the company was Dr.

John Pemberton and the current operator is Roberto Goizueta. Without

societies help, Coca-Cola could not have become over a 50 billion dollar

business.

Coca-Cola was invented by Dr. John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist. He

concocted the formula in a three legged brass kettle in his backyard on May

8, 1886. He mixed a combination of lime, cinnamon, coca leaves, and the

seeds of a Brazilian shrub to make the fabulous beverage(Things go better

with Coke 14). Coca-Cola debuted in Atlanta’s largest pharmacy, Jacob’s

Pharmacy, as a five cent non-carbonated beverage. Later on, the carbonated

water was added to the syrup to make the beverage that we know today as

Coca-Cola.

Coca-Cola was originally used as a nerve and brain tonic and a medical

elixir. Coca-Cola was named by Frank Robinson, one of Pemberton’s close

friends, he also penned the famous Coca-Cola logo in unique script. Dr.

John Pemberton sold a portion of the Coca-Cola company to Asa Candler,

after Pemberton’s death the remainder was sold to Candler. Pemberton was

forced to sell because he was in a state of poor health and was in debt.

He had paid $76.96 for advertising, but he only made $50.00 in profits.

Candler acquired the whole company for $2,300(Coca-Cola multiple pages).

Candler achieved a lot during his time as owner of the company. On

January 31, 1893, the famous Coca-Cola formula was patented. He also

opened the first syrup manufacturing plant in 1884. His great achievement

was large scale bottling of Coca-Cola in 1899. In 1915, The Root Glass

Company made the contour bottle for the Coca-Cola company. Candler

aggressively advertised Coca-Cola in newspapers and on billboards. In the

newspapers, he would give away coupons for a free Coke at any fountain.

Coca-Cola was sold after the Prohibition Era to Ernest Woodruff for 25

million dollars. He gave Coca-Cola to his son, Robert Woodruff, who would

be president for six decades(Facts, Figures, and Features Multiple pages).

Robert Woodruff was an influential man in Atlanta because of his

contributions to area colleges, universities, businesses and organizations.

When he made a contribution, he would never leave his name, this is how he

became to be known as "Mr. Anonymous." Woodruff introduced the six bottle

carton in 1923.

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