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History |
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Coca-cola was invented by a Dr. John Stith Pemberton in 1886. It was
the doctors second drink with coca leaves and the kola nut as a basis.
The doctors first coca leaf drink , Pemberton's French Wine Coca, was actually
an immitation of Vin Mariani, a coca-wine drink invented by Angelo Mariani
in 1883. Although there were several immitators of the French Coca-Wine,
Pemberton's formula was superior. He was actually quoted saying "I believe
that I am now producing a better preparation than that of Mariani."
Pemberton was not very good health, not to mention he was a morphine
adict. So in 1887 he begain to sell parts of the company off. On July 8th
he sold a third of the company to Willis Venable and another third to George
Lowndes. Neither man had the time to market, make or sell Coke so they
sold their portion of the company to Woolfolk Walker and his younger sister
Margaret Dozier. Dozier owned two-ninths and Walker four-ninths of the
formula rights. Now here is where it gets interesting. Venable somehow
disposed of his portion of Coca-cola
WANTED: AN acceptable party with $2,000.00 to purchase one-half interest in a very profitable and well-established manufacturing business, absolutely no risk, and guaranteed a 50 per cent profit on investment, with possibilities of much large profits and rare opportunity to right party. He was able to get three investors with this ad. He took $2,000 from
each of them. Their names were J.C. Mayfield, A.O. Murphey and E.H.
Bloodworth. In late December the three new partners moved to Atlanta, ready
to produce all of Pemberton's wonderful medicines.
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At this point the formula of Coca-cola was officially owned by Pemberton,
Walker and Dozier, but several others had interest in it. Enter Asa
Candler, an ambitious Atlanta druggist. Candler some how acquired control
of the company later in the month of December although he probably didn't
own any part of the company until 1888. He acquired the drink in return
for debts owed hime by certain "gentlemen." Things got a little sticky
for a while with Charley Pemberton (John's son) claiming his right to the
drink. This kicked off two coke clones by the names of: Yum Yum and Koke.
Pemberton grew even more ill, but continued with his work. He was developing a new drink, a modified cola with celery extract. The drink was never finished. Pemberton died on August 16, 1888. Candler serveda as a pallbearer at Pemberton's funeral and spoke very highly of him. In later years he was quoted saying "Why, I suppose Dr. Pemberton felt I was one of his best friends in town." Exactly two weeks after Pemberton died Candler bought the remaining interest of Walker and Dozier for $1,000. With the exeception of the Walker, Candler & Company ownership, Asa Candler had legal rights to Coca-Cola. He was calling himself the drink's sole proprietor by May 1, 1889. By the turn of the century Candler would become one of the wealthiest men in Atlanta and Coca-Cola would become the most popular soft drink in America. |
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