Coca-Cola celebrates 130 years

Dr.John Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, USA was the originator of Coca-Cola in 1886. Together with his partner Frank M. Robinson, Pemberton created the famous Coca-Cola syrup. Robinson was the one who wrote the name joining the two “C’s” in Spencerian script, because he thought it would work well in advertising. 

130 years later, Coca-Cola still uses the very same script, the same logo, and delivers the same refreshing and delicious taste and brand promise. Coca-Cola has also created some of the most memorable advertising campaigns that have carried the brand’s message of positivity and happiness through radio jingles, TV commercials, songs and various other platforms. 

Coca-Cola’s journey in Sri Lanka began 61years ago in March1955. Today in Sri Lanka, Coca-Cola has become one of the most loved beverages in the soft drinks market. Following the introduction of Trademark Coca-Cola, other global brands were added to the company portfolio including Coca-Cola Light, Sprite, Fanta Orange, Fanta Portello, Fanta Cream Soda, Lion Soda and Lion Ginger Beer which provide consumers across the island with a variety of delicious and hydrating beverage options. The constant passion to touch the lives of its consumers has made Coca-Cola one of the most preferred brands in Sri Lanka and the world. Coca-Cola is thankful for the continued support of its consumers and partners, and looks forward to many more years of refreshing the world with moments of optimism and positivity.  

Creator Dr. John Pemberton’s new beverage was first sold at Jacobs’ Pharmacy in Atlanta, GA, close to where our headquarters stand today. 
The first year Coca- Cola was sold, in 1886, sales averaged a modest nine drinks per day. Today, 1.9 billion servings of Coca -Cola Company products are sold each day. In 1906, the first three countries to bottle Coca-Cola outside the United States were Canada, Cuba and Panama. 

A Coca- Cola bottling plant opened in the Philippines in 1912, the first in Asia.
When large-scale bottling began in 1899, in Chattanooga, Tennessee – marking the beginning of what is today the worldwide Coca-Cola bottling system – Coca-Cola Company leader Asa Candler was so skeptical about the success of bottling Coca-Cola that the Company charged only $1 for the bottling rights. Selling Coca-Cola in bottles from standardized coolers began in the late 1920s. Allowing people to get a bottle from a cooler – without having to be served by a store clerk – enabled Coca- Cola to be sold in locations outside of stores, such as in the workplace, sports arenas and gas stations. The cooler revolutionized our business, evolving from barrels full of ice to the vending machines we know today. 

On July 12, 1985, Coca-Cola became the first soft drink to be consumed in space when astronauts tested the “Coca-Cola Space Can” aboard Space Shuttle Challenger. Working with NASA, The Coca-Cola Company invested more than $250,000 in the initial development of the space can technology.
In 1991, The Coca-Cola Company introduced the first bottles made partially with recycled plastic, an innovation for the 
entire industry. 
The 20-ounce PET version of the contour bottle for Coca-Cola was introduced in 1993. The bottle helped distinguish Coca-Cola from other beverages, just as the glass contour bottle had done in 1915.