In 1886, Atlanta pharmacist
Dr. John Stith Pemberton created the formula for Coca-Cola, a beverage that would become the world’s most famous soft drink.
The Invention (March 29, 1886): Pemberton concocted the original syrup in a three-legged brass kettle in his backyard. The recipe was a non-alcoholic adaptation of his earlier “French Wine Coca,” modified after Atlanta enacted temperance legislation.
The First Sale (May 8, 1886): The first glass of Coca-Cola was sold for five cents at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta. It was mixed with carbonated water and marketed as a “Delicious and Refreshing” tonic.
Branding & Advertising (May 29, 1886): The first newspaper advertisement appeared in The Atlanta Journal. Pemberton’s bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, suggested the name “Coca-Cola” and designed the iconic script logo, believing two “Cs” would look striking in advertisement.
Original Ingredients: The name referred to its two primary medicinal ingredients: extracts from coca leaves (which contained cocaine until approximately 1905) and caffeine-rich kola nuts.
Pemberton’s Legacy: Despite his invention’s potential, Pemberton was a morphine addict who struggled financially. He sold off portions of his rights before his death in 1888, after which Asa G. Candler eventually acquired full control and founded The Coca-Cola Company
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