Coca-Cola: facts, figures and myths

[Geee]

UK Telegraph:

• Coca-Cola made its world debut at the Jacobs' Pharmacy soda fountain in Atlanta, where it sold for 5 cents a glass in 1886.

• In the first year Coca-Cola creator John Pemberton sold an average of just nine glasses a day. The company now sells 1.4 billion beverage servings every day.

• John Pemberton died in 1888 without realising the success of the beverage he had created.

• Asa Griggs Candler, an Atlanta businessman, bought up the rights to the business between 1888 and 1891 for a total of $2,300. By 1895, the drink was in demand nationwide and Candler had built syrup plants in Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles.

• The men who served Coca-Cola at soda fountains were called Soda Jerks because of the jerking motion they made preparing a glass of the fizzy drink. They traditionally wore a white hat and a white coat or apron.

[Evad]

..but did it have coke?

[Argyle58]

..but did it have coke?

 

Yes, at the beginning. Hence the "Coca" in the name, for the coca extract that was used. The cocaine extract was replaced later with caffeine.