The story of Coca-Cola

The Coca-Cola bottle is the most recognised object in the world. Millions of people can recognise a Coke bottle by its shape, even if they cannot see it! Unlike any other famous commercial logos, it has not changed in 100 years!

The story of Coca-Cola is even older than its logo. It was in 1886 that John Pemberton, a druggist in Atlanta, Georgia, invented a new type of syrup, using coca leaves, sugar and cola nuts, plus a few other secret ingredients! Pemberton sold it as a medicine.

Pemberton’s medicine was not very successful, so he sold his secret formula to another druggist, Asa Candler. Candler was interested because he had another idea; he thought that Pemberton’s “medicine” would be much better if it was mixed with soda.

Candler was the man who really invented the drink Coca-Cola. At first, he sold it in his drugstore; then he began selling the syrup to other drugstores, who used it with their soda fountains. Candler also advertised his new drink, and soon people were going to drugstores just to get a drink of Coca-Cola. Before long, other people became interested in the product, including a couple of businessmen who wanted to sell it in bottles. Candler sold them a licence to bottle the drink, and very quickly the men became millionnaires. The famous bottle, with its very distinctive shape, was designed in 1916.

During the First World War, American soldiers in Europe began asking for Coca-Cola, so the Coca-Cola company began to export to Europe. It was so popular with soldiers that they then had to start bottling the drink in Europe.

Today, Coca-Cola is made in countries all over the world, including Russia and China; it is the world’s most popular drink. As for the famous formula, it is probably the world’s most valuable secret! The exact ingredients for making Coca-Cola are only known to a handful of people.