1948
Alka-Seltzer,the effervescent antacid and pain reliever,was first
marketed by the Dr. Miles Medicine Company and was sold for the
first time on December 3, 1931. It was once advertised as a cure-all;
at one time, its ads even suggested taking it for "the blahs".
The U.S. Patent Office records show December 1, 1885 as the first time Dr Pepper
was served. It was formulated by Brooklyn-born pharmacist Charles Alderton (below)
in Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. Store owner Wade Morrison was
the first to taste test the drink. Patrons of Morrison’s soda fountain soon learned of
the new drink and began ordering what was called a “Waco”. Alderton gave the
formula to Morrison who then named it Dr Pepper. It was introduced nationally
at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
Charles Courtice Alderton
Old Corner Drug Store
Prototype of the “Contour” Coke A Cocoa Bean Pod
bottle
The contoured Coca-Cola bottle was one of the first glass containers to ever be
patented based on its unique shape. The design was said to have been modeled
after the Cocoa Bean Pod (above), an ingredient of Coca-Cola. The bottle made
its commercial debut in 1916.
The Coke bottle of 1916
