On Monday, March 29, 1886 Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton concocted Coca-Cola in his back yard. (He introduced it to the public on May 8th, 1886.) The good doctor claims it can cure anything from hysteria to the common cold. Of course, Coke has become the stuff of legends. It became entrenched in Americana when during World War II it was the soft drink for the U.S. troops around the world.
That accomplishment can be attributed to Coke President, Robert Woodruff. Woodruff turned Coca-Cola from a fountain drink to a drink Americans could take home in bottles to enjoy. In fact, he was responsible for the now common six bottle carton. Regarding WWII though, following an urgent request from General Dwight Eisenhower's base in North Africa, Woodruff set up 64 bottling plants around the world to supply American troops during World War II. Many of these wartime plants were later converted to civilian use, which permanently enlarged Coke's bottling system and accelerating the growth of the company's worldwide business.
Mr. Woodruff was responsible for turning Coke into the brand powerhouse it has become. Consider the icons of Coke ads: Santa Claus, pinup girls, and the big red Coke circle that can be found all over the world. Coke collectors are some of the most serious out there, and the collectibles are plentiful.
 circa. 1940 COCA COLA COKE SNAPSHOT PHOTO TRUCK DELIVERY MEN SIGN BOTTLE LOGO $24.99 Time Remaining: 38m Add to watch list |
 COCA COLA COKE SODA BOTTLE CAP SHAPED SOFT COMPUTER MOUSEPAD $4.99 Time Remaining: 23d 13h 22m Buy It Now for only: $4.99 Add to watch list |
 Coca-Cola Bottle Cap Cabinet Knobs - Coke Drawer Pulls - Lot of 40! $45.55 (22 Bids) Time Remaining: 39m Add to watch list |
 HUGE Coca-Cola Banner - 20 Feet Long! Coke Sign $13.50 (9 Bids) Time Remaining: 39m Add to watch list |
 Coke Coca Cola Pocket Knife FROST CUTLERY Vintage Collectible MEMORABILIA $6.99 Time Remaining: 22d 22h 33m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 Add to watch list |
 US Patent Coca-Cola Root Bottle 1900s Coke Art Print $9.99 Time Remaining: 55m Add to watch list |
 Coke Cola Coca Cola music drink box promo $13.38 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 56m Add to watch list |
 2010 commemorative Coca Cola Coke bottle 100 year Centennial USM in Hattiesburg $4.99 Time Remaining: 1h 9m Add to watch list |
 COCA COLA COKE VENDING MACHINE COOLER NEW!! $249.98 Time Remaining: 3d 17h 42m Buy It Now for only: $249.98 Add to watch list |
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We may take Coke for granted nowadays. But it was not very popular at first. As with most soda concoctions of the 1880's it was intended as a tonic, or medicine. Eventually it caught on though and became one of the most recognizable brands in world history.
The formula for Coca-Cola has become a source of rumor and legend as well. Yes, it did have a minute amount of cocaine in the original recipe, but obviously this has been replaced. There are other ingredients that have changed over the years as well. For many decades there has been a rumor that one half of the formula was known respectively by two Coke executives. Supposedly, neither one know the whole recipe. Snopes.com has an interesting story about that (the rumors are false).
