On June 16, 1903, “Pepsi-Cola” became an official trademark, and was invented by a pharmacist named Caleb Davis Bradham.
Who is Caleb Davis Bradham?
Caleb Davis Bradham was born in Chinquapin, North Carolina, on May 27, 1867. After graduating from the University of North Carolina, Bradham attended the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine in hopes of becoming a doctor. While attending school he worked part-time as a pharmacy apprentice at a local drug store.
Unfortunately a family crisis forced Bradham to drop his pursuit in medicine and return home to North Carolina. Upon returning, he taught school for a short period of time before opening a drug store on the corner of Middle and Pollock Streets in downtown New Bern. Braham’s Drug Store would later become the very place Pepsi-Cola was invented.
In 1893, “Brad’s Drink,” made from a mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, nutmeg, and other natural additives, became an overnight sensation. Despite its name and hearsay, pepsin was never an ingredient of Pepsi-Cola.
On August 28, 1898, Bradham renamed his drink “Pepsi-Cola.” He believed the drink was more than refreshment but a “healthy” cola, aiding in digestion, getting its roots from the word dyspepsia, meaning indigestion.
Around this same time another inventor by the name of Dr. John Pemberton, a local pharmacist, produced the syrup for Coca-Cola in 1886, and carried a jug of the new product down the street to Jacobs’ Pharmacy, where it was sampled, pronounced “excellent” and placed on sale for five cents a glass as a soda fountain drink.
Carbonated water was teamed with the new syrup to produce a drink that was at once “Delicious and refreshing,” a theme that continues to echo today wherever Coca-Cola is enjoyed.
When was the first Coca-Cola trademark?
Prior to his death Pemberton died in 1888, just two years after creating what was to become the world’s #1-selling sparkling beverage, Dr. Pemberton sold portions of his business to various parties, with the majority of the interest sold to Atlanta businessman, Asa G. Candler.
The Cocoa Cola, trademark didn’t come out until, 1894.
Quite interesting turn of events if you look at the two inventors, one wanted to become a doctor but because of a family emergency had to quit school and go back home.
The other was an actual doctor, and created Cocoa-Cola. What I find so fascinating, about these two men is that, have you heard that quote before how, “Life’s best moments usually happen unplanned.”
It just goes to show you how every problem has a purpose, but it’s really how your perspective is regarding the purpose, which how these two inventors came about.
When I was younger I really believed that caffeine was the color brown, because coffee is brown, and so is Pepsi and Cocoa Cola.
However the question that’s been around about as long as the oldest human living person on Earth is why no one wins when it comes to taking the Coke and Pepsi challenge.
History has shown us that America was built on the back of positive rivalries the long-standing feud between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox… or the U.S. vs. Russia in the Olympics that says nothing of more serious rivalries like the political feud between Democrats and Republicans.
Nothing can drive competitors to perform their best like a well-matched rivalry. This is particularly true in the world of business; it’s all about creating a buzz.
All of these (and dozens of others) have resulted in increased innovation, industry growth and most critically for investor’s shareholder value.
One rivalry in particular stands out to me in terms of longevity, pure competitive zeal and using nearly every trick in the book for the upper hand: the epic cola war between Coca-Cola and Pepsi.
But truth be told, Coca-Cola has won “The Cola War.” Coke controls 42% of the total carbonated soft drink market, compared with Pepsi’s 30%, according to Beverage Digest.
In lieu of today’s story whatever cola challenge you decide to take in the near future, you’re creating a buzz for a marketing strategy, which isn’t a bad thing, it’s just business.
Did you know that Pepsi Cola Company also owns Lays Potato Chips, Mountain Dew, Seven Up, Tropicana Orange Juice, Doritos, Gatorade, Quaker Oats, Cheetos, Mirinda, Lipton, Ruffles, Tositios, Aquafina, Brisk, Sierra Mist, Fritos, Brisk, Starbucks, Walkers, so if you don’t particularly like Pepsi you may be taking their product without ever realizing it.
Written & Designed by JD Mitchell
jdmitchelldesigns@gmail.com
Days to Remember 