Barry Marlow

Old Coca-Cola cans, c. 1930s. On May 8, 1886, Dr. John Stith Pemberton sold the first Coca-Cola. Initially created as a health remedy, Coca-Cola would eventually become a globally recognized brand. When Coca-Cola was first sold at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta, Georgia, for 5 cents a glass, it wasn't very well-received, selling just nine glasses per day. However, this situation changed drastically by the 1900s. Before he died in 1888, Dr. Pemberton sold the Coca-Cola rights to Asa Candler, a successful Atlanta businessman. The brand's sales skyrocketed, and 1893 the Coca-Cola Company was formed. Candler understood the power of advertising and utilized it effectively, leading to a tremendous increase in the drink's popularity. By 1895, Candler claimed that Coca-Cola was being consumed across all states and territories in the U.S., turning a local Georgia enterprise into a national brand. Candler also decided to sell bottling rights to small businesses across the U.S. rather than establishing plants nationwide. In 1919, the company was sold again, with the new owners continuing to prioritize effective advertising. The new president, Robert Woodruff, saw bottling as the company's future and focused on making Coca-Cola a beverage to be enjoyed anywhere, not just in shops or restaurants. Woodruff also decided to expand Coca-Cola globally. Despite previous unsuccessful attempts, Woodruff managed to secure a partnership with the Olympic Games, making Coca-Cola a constant presence wherever the games were held. During WWII, Woodruff ensured that all U.S. military personnel had access to Coca-Cola, leading to the construction of over 60 bottling plants in North Africa, Europe, and the Pacific. This initiative also introduced the drink to local populations in these areas, allowing the Georgia-based company to expand globally. Post-WWII, with the creation of new countries, Coca-Cola found new markets. The company diversified its product line, introducing new sodas and merging with other beverage companies. Advertising campaigns evolved with the times, incorporating radio jingles and television commercials, along with traditional print advertisements, encouraging people worldwide to try Coca-Cola. Today, Coca-Cola is available in over 200 countries with over 400 products.

Annual tradition maintained. Southwold Summer Theatre. It always feels like stepping back in time.

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Another year...another birthday. This one has a '0' in it and I'll be catching up with some of the people captured in these photos.