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The New Era of Beverages
May 8 Coca Cola is created by John S. Pemberton and served at Jacob's Pharmacy. Company accountant, Frank Robinson,
names the drink “Coca‑Cola,” and thinking the two Cs would look well in advertising, pens the famous Spencerian script logo. -
The Rights
The rights to bottle Coca-Cola in
most of the United States are sold by
Asa Candler to Benjamin F. Thomas and
Joseph B. Whitehead of Chattanooga,
Tennessee, for $1. Chattanooga becomes
the first city to bottle Coca‑Cola under
the contract. -
Making It BIG
Bottling operations begin in Canada,
Cuba and Panama, becoming the first
three countries outside the United
States to bottle Coca‑Cola.
D’Arcy Advertising Company begins
its 50-year association with
The Coca‑Cola Company.
A straight-sided bottle is first used
in national advertising. -
Quality Tells the Difference
Answering the call of
The Coca‑Cola Company, the contour
bottle prototype is designed by
Alexander Samuelson and patented
by the Root Glass Company. It is
approved by the Bottlers’ Association
and becomes the standard bottle. -
Period: to
Coca Cola Moving Beyond
Seeking to create an advertising
program that links Coca‑Cola with
Christmas, artist Haddon Sundblom
creates his first illustration showing
Santa Claus pausing for a Coke. For
the next three decades, from 1931 to
1964, Sundblom paints images of
Santa that help to create the modern
interpretation of St. Nick. The first automated fountain dispenser,
the Dole Master, is introduced at the
Chicago World’s Fair. The 50th anniversary of Coca‑Cola is
celebrated. Artist N. C. Wyeth creates
the calendar -
Coca Cola and The War
The first in a series of posters depicting
American fighter planes is issued for
use in schools, restaurants and retail
stores. Additional series are issued in
1943, 1944 and 1945.
The Sprite Boy character is introduced
in advertising to convey the message
that “Coca‑Cola” and “Coke” are two
terms that reference the same product.
During World War II, the Company
operates a propellant ammunition
loading plant in Talladega, Alabama,
called the Brecon Loading Company.
An average of 30 railroad cars -
Coke
“Coke” becomes a registered
trademark of The Coca‑Cola Company. -
Becoming a Celebrity
Coca‑Cola becomes the first product
to appear on the cover of Time
magazine. The magazine wants to
have a photo of Robert Woodruff on
the cover, but he refuses stating that
the product is the only important
element in the Company.
The first television commercial for
Coca‑Cola is broadcast on Thanksgiving
Day on a CBS half-hour special
featuring Edgar Bergen and Charlie
McCarthy. -
The Coca Cola Industry
Coca-Cola is now distributed by a
network of 1,700 bottlers, operating
in more than 100 countries. -
Grab and Go!
Steel 12-ounce cans are introduced to
help make Coca‑Cola more portable.
The Coca‑Cola Company acquires
The Minute Maid Corporation, adding
a line of juice products to its portfolio.
Coca‑Cola sponsors a nationwide
competition for high school singers
and musicians called Talentsville USA.
The winner is a lyric soprano from
Carrier Mills, Illinois, who goes on to
have a successful career in opera. -
Have a Coke and a Smile
The Dynamic Ribbon Device, the
red-and-white graphic representing
two adjacent contour bottles, is
launched nationwide.
Coca‑Cola introduces its first sports
drink when Olympade is test marketed
in the United States. The packaging
features a logo for the U.S. Olympic
Committee. -
Coca Cola and the Sports
The Coca‑Cola Company and the
Fédération Internationale de Football
Association (FIFA) agree to the
first-ever sponsorship between a
company and an international sports
governing body. -
Period: to
Coca Cola, Out of this World!
Coca‑Cola becomes the first soft
drink consumed in space when the
astronauts aboard the space shuttle
Challenger tested the space can on
a mission.
May 8. Coca‑Cola marks its hundredth
anniversary with a worldwide
celebration in Atlanta. -
Coca Cola dunking in the NBA
The Coca-Cola Company announces a
100-year partnership with the National
Basketball Association. -
Open Happiness
An aluminum contour bottle is
introduced for use in nightclubs
and at special events. -
Coca Cola acquiring Brands
The new World of Coca‑Cola opens
at Pemberton Place in Atlanta.
The Coca‑Cola Company acquires
Energy Brands Inc. (glacéau), maker
of vitaminwater and smartwater.
The 20-ounce PET contour GRIP
bottle joins the packaging ranks. -
Modern Life of Coca Cola
Coca‑Cola Freestyle, an innovative
fountain dispenser that allows
consumers to select from more
than 100 beverages, is unveiled.
Two-liter contour packaging
is introduced.
PlantBottle PET packaging is
introduced. Made partially from
plant-based materials, PlantBottle
plastic bottles are completely
recyclable.
Simply becomes a billion-dollar brand -
The Big 125, and Still Young
The Coca‑Cola Company celebrates
125 years of brand Coca‑Cola.