On May 8, 1886, a revolutionary drink was born in Atlanta, Georgia, changing the world forever. Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a local pharmacist, created the syrup for Coca-Cola and carried it to Jacobs’ Pharmacy, where it was mixed with carbonated water and served as a refreshing soda fountain drink. The new beverage was immediately deemed “excellent,” and it was sold for five cents a glass. The combination of syrup and carbonation created a drink that was marketed as both “Delicious and Refreshing,” a slogan that still resonates today wherever Coca-Cola is enjoyed.
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Dr. John Pemberton’s invention was more than just a new drink; it was the start of something big. His business partner, Frank M. Robinson, who was also the bookkeeper, believed the two “C”s in the name would look appealing in advertisements. He suggested the name Coca-Cola and designed the iconic logo in his distinctive handwriting. The first newspaper ad for Coca-Cola appeared in The Atlanta Journal, promoting the new drink as a popular soda fountain choice. Hand-painted signs featuring the Coca-Cola name began to appear on store awnings, with the word “Drink” added to let people know it was a refreshing beverage. Despite its promise, the first year’s sales were modest, averaging only nine drinks a day.
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Dr. Pemberton, however, never fully realized the potential of his creation. Over time, he sold parts of his business to various partners and, just before his death in 1888, sold his remaining interest in Coca-Cola to Asa G. Candler. A savvy businessman from Atlanta, Candler recognized the product’s potential and began acquiring additional rights, eventually gaining full control of the Coca-Cola Company and setting it on the path to global success.
