Coca-Cola and Pepsi/ How carbonated drinks were created

2025-04-24 07:46:00, Kuriozitete CNA

Coca-Cola was created on May 8, 1886, by John Stith Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally, Coca-Cola was invented as a drink to be sold in pharmacies and contained cocaine extracts from coca leaves and caffeine from kola nuts, two ingredients that inspired its name. The drink was initially promoted as a health and energy tonic.

Pemberton's original formulation was sold as a syrup that was mixed with carbonated water. The business started slowly, but with the help of partners like Frank M. Robinson, who created the distinctive Coca-Cola name and logo, the brand began to gain popularity.

Later, Asa Griggs Candler, a shrewd businessman, purchased the full rights to Coca-Cola in the late 1880s. He was instrumental in the promotion and mass distribution of the drink, making Coca-Cola a nationally and then globally recognized brand. In the years that followed, Coca-Cola became a cultural icon and one of the most popular products in the world.

Pepsi

Pepsi began as a carbonated drink in 1893, when Charles Guth created a tonic called "Brad's Drink" in a drugstore in New Bern, North Carolina. Guth prepared it by mixing sugar, carbonated water, citric acid, and flavoring, with the intention of creating a refreshing and energizing drink.

In 1898, Guth changed the name of the drink to "Pepsi-Cola," based on its key ingredients: 'pepsin' (an enzyme that aids in digestion) and 'cola', referring to its kola nut content. After the name change, the company, which had transformed "Brad's Drink" into Pepsi-Cola, began to sell more successfully.

Guth began selling Pepsi-Cola in an attempt to increase its popularity, and in 1902, he registered the trademark. In 1905, the company began selling Pepsi-Cola concentrate in pharmacies nationwide. However, after several years of financial difficulties, Guth lost control of the brand in 1923, and the company declared bankruptcy.

After several changes in ownership and management, in 1931, a well-known entrepreneur, Charles G. Guth, revived the brand and launched a major advertising campaign to increase sales. During the Depression, Pepsi Cola gained popularity, achieving a huge increase in sales.

After that, Pepsi-Cola continued to grow and diversify, becoming one of Coca-Cola's main competitors in the carbonated beverage market and positioning itself as an innovative brand in the food and beverage industry. Today, PepsiCo is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies./ CNA