When Medicine Became a Soft Drink

Rea,

You know how sometimes the best discoveries happen by accident? Back in 1886, just after the Civil War, a pharmacist named John Pemberton was working in his laboratory in Atlanta. He wasn’t trying to invent a famous drink - he was trying to solve a serious problem.

Pemberton had been wounded in battle and suffered from pain. Like many veterans, he had become dependent on morphine for relief. Wanting to find a safer alternative, he began experimenting with different ingredients to create a pain reliever that wouldn’t be addictive.

After months of mixing various plant extracts, Pemberton created a syrup using coca leaves and kola nuts. He called it “Pemberton’s French Wine Coca” and sold it as a medicine for headaches and fatigue.

The real magic happened by accident. One day, Pemberton’s assistant mixed the syrup with carbonated water instead of plain water. When they tasted the fizzy mixture, they realized they had created something special – a delicious drink rather than just a medicine.

Pemberton began selling his creation at Jacobs’ Pharmacy for 5 cents a glass. In the first year, he sold about 9 drinks per day – just $50 in total sales! His bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, named the drink “Coca-Cola” and wrote out the name in the flowing script that’s still used today.

Sadly, Pemberton never saw his creation become famous. Struggling with health and finances, he sold the rights to his formula for only about $2,300 before he died in 1888 – never realizing his accidental invention would one day be worth billions.

Today, Coca-Cola sells more than 1.9 billion drinks every day in over 200 countries. What started as a failed medicine has become perhaps the most recognized product in the world, with its secret formula kept in a special vault like a national treasure.

Pemberton’s story shows how sometimes our biggest successes come from being willing to adapt when things don’t go as planned. Like a river that finds a new path when blocked by rocks, Pemberton’s willingness to change direction when faced with obstacles led to something far greater than he ever imagined.

Love, Abba

P.S. Did you know the original Coca-Cola contained small amounts of cocaine from the coca leaves? When people discovered cocaine was dangerous and addictive, Coca-Cola had to change its recipe. They still use coca leaves today, but all the cocaine is removed first!