What happens when a morphine-addicted pharmacist tries to cure his own addiction and accidentally creates the world’s most valuable brand instead?
Meet Dr. John Pemberton – the man who invented Coca-Cola while trying to make medicine, sold it for pocket change, and died never knowing his “failure” would become a $200 billion empire.
The incredible timeline:
• 1886: Pemberton creates “Pemberton’s French Wine Coca” (medicinal tonic)
• Atlanta prohibition forces him to remove alcohol
• May 8, 1886: Accidental carbonation creates modern Coca-Cola
• First year: Only 25 glasses sold, business loses money
• 1888: Desperate Pemberton sells formula for $2,300
• 1888: Pemberton dies, thinking he failed
• 1892: Asa Candler incorporates The Coca-Cola Company
• Today: Worth over $200 billion globally
The tragic irony? Pemberton created one of history’s most successful products while battling his own demons, sold it in desperation, and never lived to see its success.
Sometimes your biggest “mistakes” are your greatest contributions to the world. That project you think is failing? That idea everyone calls pointless? It might be your Coca-Cola moment waiting to happen.
SOURCES:
• The Coca-Cola Company | Our History: https://www.coca-colacompany.com/company/history.
• Smithsonian Magazine | The Dark History of Coca-Cola: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/cocaine-coca-cola-and-caffeine-181000467/.
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