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Coca Leaf and Kola Nut

The Story of Coca-Cola

By Esther AmiPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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Did you know it all started in a lab? Spend more time in labs people, there's greatness in trying new things. Experimenting, and taking notes on what works and what doesn't is all well and good, but let's not miss the point. John S. Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, at his Pemberton Chemical Company, first cooked up Coca-Cola as a tonic, for common ailments. He based it on cocaine from the coca leaf and caffeine-rich extracts of the kola nut. It is said that Dr. Pemberton carried a jar of his tonic to Jacob's bar where it was sampled and pronounced excellent; a delicious and refreshing taste.

The drink was sampled for five cents a glass as a soda fountain drink and averaged nine drinks per day. Who can tell what Dr. Pemberton was thinking, but one thing he could not have predicted was the potential of the beverage he created. He sold the rights of his business gradually till there was not one bit left, just prior to his death, he made his last sale: to an Atlanta businessman. The trademark first appeared in the Atlanta Journal, inviting thirsty citizens to try the new fountain drink. Mr. Asa G. Candler then proceeded to acquire each piece of the pie until he had the whole pie. He acquired complete control of Coca-Cola, a name coined by Dr. Pemberton's partner who felt the fusion of the two words Coke and Cola would look well in advertising.

The Dawn Of A New Era

Under the leadership of Mr. Candler, the trademark was registered under the name 'Coca-Cola in the year 1893, at the US Patent Office. Sales quickly increased over a period of 100 years, from 9,000 gallons to about 370,887 gallons. An additional blessing in that century was the establishment of syrup-making trees in Dallas, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. The product was then, sold in US states and in Canada. Coca-Cola signed an agreement, its first with a bottling company that will be allowed to purchase the syrup, produce the drink then bottle, and eventually distribute as Coca-Cola. A unique distribution system was formed which now characterizes the soft-drink industry in America. Coca-Cola was capitalized at $100,000 and after its incorporation, was sold at an amount of $25 million dollars to a group of investors. The Atlanta Businessman Ernest woodruff witnessed the sale of Coca-Cola after its incorporation but his son, Robert Winship Woodruff led Coca-Cola for more than three decades as the company's President & Chairman.

Coca-Cola diversified its packaging and distribution after World War II and acquired some new products. Its first packaging, the contoured bottle was introduced in 1916 and later registered in 1960. Coca-Cola introduced its first lemon-lime drink in 1961. It entered the citrus juice market with the purchase of Minute Maid Corporation in 1960. One thing is clear, Coca-Cola was not playing a fast-and-lose game in these waters, Coca-Cola was all about domination. It is not surprising that Coca-Cola's biggest competitor is water and not another fruit juice or beverage corporation. The company began selling in China, East Germany, and India, it is even believed that in China, Coca-Cola was the only company allowed to sell cold-packed beverages in the year 1978. A major innovation for Coca-Cola came with the invention of plastic bottle packaging; made from recycled plastic (well, partially).

The Different Faces of Coca Cola

Coca-Cola has long since added to its long list of beverages and cool fruit juices and remains at the top of every occasion list; from events to parties, to get-togethers, even friendly hangouts. The Asia-marketed *Qoo* children's fruit drink was created by Coca-Cola, Powerade sports drink, and the infamous Dasani bottled water. Oh my, Coca-Cola did try the water route; Coca-Cola iterates the importance of finding what you are good at and pumping every effort and resource to actually becoming the best in it. Coca-Cola acquired root beer in the United States, Inca Kola in Peru, Maaza, Thums Up and Limca in India; added Cadbury Schweppes Beverages to the mix, and is reported to have in more than 120 countries across the globe. Today, Coca-Cola wears quite a number of hats when it comes to beverages, fruit juices, water and soft-drinks; check out the full list here. Although Coca-Cola did not always have a smooth ride, having dealt with lawsuits bothering on illegal soil and water pollution as well as violation of human rights, which were eventually dismissed, the corporation stands today because it serves one purpose and serves it really well: Coca-Cola understands and give s value in every campaign, with every product and runs with a vision of the customer in mind.

Our Increase: We Rise By Lifting Others (Social Responsibility)

Coca-Cola introduced Coke Zero, its zero-calorie soft drink but with the same regular taste as Coca-Cola in 2005 and acquired Energy brands in 2007. The big announcement came in 2007 when after acquiring Energy brands, Coca-Cola joined the Business Leaders Initiative on Human rights, a group of companies collaborating to develop and implement corporate responses to human rights affecting the business world. Today, the Corporation gives back, understands, and projects social responsibility. The Coca-Cola Foundation is the Corporation's philanthropic arm and has since its inception awarded more than $ 1 billion in grants to support community initiatives around the world. Coca-Cola set up a Covid Relief fund to support communities and organizations and has so far raised over $50 million. Coca-Cola also makes a commitment each year to give 1% of its previous year's earnings to support 432 organizations across 154 countries and territories across the globe. Coca-Cola also supports applications for grants and sponsorships and accepts all forms via an online application system. Coca-Cola is committed to empowering women and children, protecting the environment, giving back to communities, and educating scholars.

If there is any lesson to be learned here, it's this: no idea ever runs on the back of one man, we all need people. It may be a team, it may be another mind that sees what you don't and changes the direction of things. Ideas are great and all but we need people, shoulders on which to stand tall, and eyes that can see far into the future; even to see what has yet to enter our mind's eye. There is also perhaps, a law working here, of course in Coca-Cola's favor: the principle of giving. The Corporation dedicates a share of its earnings and profit to building society, giving back and touching lives; what's more important than making the customer feel more than just a means to an end?

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About the Creator

Esther Ami

Words are powerful and it matters how we use them. I use my words to build and impact, I use my words to lift and inspire. I am a words-person, I love words.

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