We've done Pepsi, we've done McDonald's, and now it's time to to examine the history of Coca-Cola. This may be a bold statement, but it's possible that Coca-Cola aka Coke just might be the most beloved soda on the planet. Not only is a coke a simple "soda,"it's a whole entity at this point that includes legendary commercials, merchandise, collaborations, brand ambassadors, and even a factory (The Coca-Cola Factory in Atlanta). Of course, everything major has minor beginnings, and Coca-Cola is no different. The company has an extensive and very interesting background that we are going to be taking a deeper look at today. If learning random information about your favorite things is your "thing," then stick with us for an in-depth look at the history of Coca-Cola. Trust us when we say you'll be thoroughly entertained.
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An In-Depth Look at the History of Coca-Cola
Wondering the origins of where one of your favorite drinks came from?
The Early Makings of Coca-Cola
Atlanta is the place that gets to call Coca-Cola home as that's the city where it laid down it's initial roots. The drink was founded in July 1886 by by a pharmacist named Dr. John S. Pemberton. Coca-Cola was originally advertised as a medicinal beverage used specifically for headache relief. Pemberton's bookkeeper Frank Mason Robinson is credited with coming up with the name as it's main ingredients included coca leaves and kola nuts. Robinson would eventually be tasked by Pemberton to promote the drink, and we guess you can say it succeeded as the drink was sold to entrepreneur Asa Griggs Chandler in 1892. Three years later it was being sold in stores, and by 1919, Coca-Cola was sold to Ernest Woodruff's Trust Company of Georgia.
The Iconic Coca-Cola Bottle
The Expansion of Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola continued building its global presence in the 1920s as it would begin advertising through billboards and radio. This expansion would continue throughout the duration of the 20s as Coca-Cola would be named the official sponsor of the 1928 Olympics. By the early 1930s, Coca-Cola was now becoming the kings of the holiday season with their infamous illustrations of St. Nicholas drinking Coca-Cola.
"I'd Like to Buy the World a Coke"
The Introduction of Diet Coke
The beginning of Diet Coke can be traced back to the early 1980s with Roberto C. Goizueta becoming the CEO and Chairman of Coca-Cola. Shortly after joining the company, Diet Coke was introduced as an official Coca-Cola offering, designed to be the healthier non-sugar version of the original.
The 1980s and beyond
In 1986, Coca-Cola merged with two of their bottling operators to become Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. Five years later, oca-Cola Enterprises merged with the Johnston Coca-Cola Bottling Group, Inc, and the company continued to grow globally throughout the 1990s with notable ambassadors such as Selena representing them with memorable spots and advertisements. The 2000s would see much of the same success, and so would the 2010s for that matter. In 2020, Coke was named as one of Forbes' Most Valuable Brands in the world, and the popularity of the drink has never waned.
World of Coca-Cola
