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The history of Coca Cola
John Styth Pemberton first introduced the refreshing taste
of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia. It was May of 1886 when
the pharmacist concocted a caramel-colored syrup in a
three-legged brass kettle in his backyard. He first
"distributed" the new product by carrying Coca-Cola in
a jug down the street to Jacobs Pharmacy. For five cents,
consumers could enjoy a glass of Coca-Cola at the soda fountain.
Whether by design or accident, carbonated water was teamed with
the new syrup, producing a drink that was proclaimed "Delicious and
Refreshing."
Dr. Pemberton's partner and bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson,
suggested the name and penned "Coca-Cola" in the unique flowing
script that is famous worldwide today. Mr. Robinson thought
"the two C's would look well in advertising."
In 1886, sales of Coca-Cola averaged nine drinks per day.
That first year, Dr. Pemberton sold 25 gallons of syrup,
shipped in bright red wooden kegs. Red has been a distinctive
color associated with the No. 1 soft drink brand ever since.
For his efforts, Dr. Pemberton grossed $50 and spent $73.96 on
advertising.
Allegedly Pemberton was was a morphine adict. So in 1887 he begain
to sell parts of the company off. On July 8th he sold a third of
the company to Willis Venable and another third to George Lowndes.
Neither man had the time to market, make or sell Coke so they sold
their portion of the company to Woolfolk Walker and his younger
sister Margaret Dozier. Dozier owned two-ninths and Walker four-ninths
of the formula rights. Now here is where it gets interesting.
Venable somehow disposed of his portion of Coca-cola twice.
During some time in 1887, he gave his share of Coca-cola to
Joseph Jacobs, owner of Jacobs' Pharmacy. In early October,
1887 Pemberton ran a blind ad looking for additional investors.
WANTED: AN acceptable party with $2,000.00 to purchase one-half
interest in a very profitable and well-established manufacturing
business, absolutely no risk, and guaranteed a 50 per cent profit
on investment, with possibilities of much large profits and rare
opportunity to right party. He was able to get three investors
with this ad. He took $2,000 from each of them. Their names were
J.C. Mayfield, A.O. Murphey and E.H. Bloodworth.
In late December the three new partners moved to Atlanta,
ready to produce of Pemberton's medicines. At this point the
formula of Coca-cola was officially owned by Pemberton,
Walker and Dozier, but several others had interest in it.
Enter Asa Candler, an ambitious Atlanta druggist. Candler
some how acquired control of the company later in the month
of December although he probably didn't own any part of the
company until 1888. He acquired the drink in return for gambeling
debts owed him. Charley Pemberton (John's son) claimed his right
to the drink. This kicked off two coke clones by the names of: Yum Yum and
Koke.
Pemberton grew even more ill, he died on August 16, 1888.
Candler was a pallbearer at Pemberton's funeral and spoke
very highly of him. In later years he was quoted saying
"Why, I suppose Dr. Pemberton felt I was one of his best friends in town.
"Two weeks after Pemberton died Candler bought out Walker and Dozier
for $1,000. With the exeception of the Walker, Candler & Company portion,
Asa Candler had legal rights to Coca-Cola. He was calling himself the
drink's sole proprietor by May 1, 1889. By the turn of the century
Candler would become one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta and Coca-Cola
would become the most popular soft drink in America.
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