Pepsi-Cola

In 1893, young pharmacist named Caleb Bradham created, “Brad’s Drink,” a mixture of water, sugar, vanilla, kola nut extract, and oils. He was trying to create a refreshing drink in the summer in order to serve his customers and despite the lack of caffeine, it immediately became a sensation in this small southern town.

Five years later in 1898, Caleb decided to rename it "Pepsi-Cola," after its two main ingredients, pepsin and the cola nut and advertised his new soft drink.

In 1902, he launched the Pepsi-Cola Company in the back room of his pharmacy, and applied to the U.S. Patent Office for a trademark.

At first, he mixed the syrup himself and sold it exclusively through soda fountains. But soon Caleb recognized that a greater opportunity existed to bottle Pepsi so that people could drink it anywhere.

The business began to grow, and on June 16, 1903, "Pepsi-Cola" was officially registered with the U.S. Patent Office. In 1904, Bradham purchases a building in New Bern known as the "Bishop Factory" for $5,000 and moves all bottling and syrup operations to this location.

In 1905, due to increasing demand, Bradham established Pepsi-Cola’s first bottling franchises in Charlotte and Durham.

On the trend towards innovation, in 1908, they became one of the first companies to modernize delivery. No longer was Pepsi being distributed from horse drawn carts but motor vehicles. In 1945, Pepsi has started to expand around the world and launched new bottle sizes and cans.
Pepsi-Cola