History:
Coca-Cola was first invented by Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a local pharmacist, in 1886 Atlanta Georgia. He produced the Coca-Cola syrup gave it to Jacobs' Pharmacy to be sampled. They loved it and it was soon placed on sale as a patent medicine for five cents a glass at soda fountains, which were popular in the United States at the time due to the belief that carbonated water was good for the health . Later on they added the carbonated water to the syrup to produce a drink that carries the slogan of being “Refreshing and Delicious” which is their theme up till this very day. Dr. Pemberton and his partner Frank M. Robinson, who suggested that the name Coca-Cola with the “two Cs” would be good for advertising, penned the new trademark and ran the first advertisement for the beverage on May 29, 1886 in the Atlanta Journal. In an attempt of more marketing efforts, they also hung hand-painted signs by stores that said “Coca-Cola” and “Drink” on them. But just like any starting product sales were as low as 9 drinks a day during the first year.
By 1888 Dr. Pemberton had sold all his shares in the business, last of which was to Asa G. Candler who proved to be a very successful businessman with a vision to take the product further. As he saw potential in this drink he bought more shares and right until he acquired full control and became the sole proprietor of the company in 1891.
By 1892, Mr. Candler's flair for merchandising had boosted sales of Coca-Cola syrup nearly tenfold. He saw an opportunity so with his brother, John S. Candler, John Pemberton's former partner Frank Robinson and two other associates, Mr. Candler established a corporation in Georgia and called it The Coca-Cola Company. Initial capitalization was $100,000 by that time.
Mr. Candler started advertising for the product increasing promotion by distributing thousands of coupons for a complimentary glass of Coca-Cola and giving off fans, calendars and the like. The business grew bigger...