Awakenings: Coca-Cola in Bottles!!!

Coca-Cola Bottle Evolution
Image Source: Coca-Cola Bottles History

This Day in History, March 12, 1894

Coca-Cola's Country of Origin is the United States! Its history takes us back to Atlanta, Georgia in 1886. The curiosity of an Atlanta pharmacist, Dr. John S. Pemberton led to the creation of a distinctive soft drink that could be sold at soda fountains. It was a hit and the first servings of Coca-Cola sold for 5¢ a glass.

He created a flavored syrup, took it to his neighborhood pharmacy, where it was mixed with carbonated water and deemed “excellent” by those who sampled it. Dr. Pemberton’s partner and bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, is credited with naming the beverage “Coca‑Cola” as well as designing the trademarked, distinct script, still used today.
[Source: Coca-Cola History]

The First Coca-Cola Served

On March 12, 1894, the soft drink is sold in bottles for the first time. Up until that time, the only way to enjoy a refreshing cola was from a soda fountain. Growing demand for the Coca-Cola beverage escalated the need to make the beverage portable. This led to a modest start for a bold idea.

Joseph A Biedenharn was owner of a candy store in Vicksburg, MS where he served the new fountain beverage called Coca-Cola. Business was so impressive Biedenharn began bottling Coca-Cola to sell. His container: a common glass bottle called a Hutchinson.

At that time, the Coca-Cola Company was owned by Asa Griggs Candler. Biedenharn was so excited about his bottling venture he sent a case to Candler. The response was not what he had expected. Candler thanked him but took NO action. Even at the urging of one of his nephews that Coca-Cola be bottled, Candler did not budge, he was completely focused on fountain sales.

Of course, the rest of the story is history with Coca-Cola's rapid growth ultimately making it the leading beverage in the global cola industry!