The Coca-Cola Legacy: Opening Happiness Through Shared Experiences

There are only a handful of experiences that tie generations together; cheering for your favourite cricket team or bonding over old 90’s movies. Coca-Cola has been part of those shared experiences for decades. In over 136 years of its existence, Coca-Cola has narrated a tale that transcends geographies and unites cultures, becoming a symbol of refreshment worldwide. 

In our diverse portfolio at HCCB, Coca-Cola stands as one of the many beverages we proudly manufacture. Even today, spotting the iconic red colour or recognising its distinctive contoured glass bottle in a sea of beverages can be easy. But each of these brand features exist for a reason and are part of the unique history that forms the Coca-Cola we see in stores today.  

The century-old tale of Coca-Cola

It all started in a local pharmacy where Dr. John Stith Pemberton, a pharmacist, concocted the syrup that we now know as Coca-Cola. He carried a jug filled with the syrup to Jacob's Pharmacy, where it was promptly dubbed "excellent”. After that, it became available as a soda fountain drink, costing a mere five cents a glass. 

However, the journey from inception to sensation was rapid. In its fountain form, Coca‑Cola grew from an average of nine drinks a day sold in 1886 to being sold in every state of the U.S. by 1900. But what may have not been apparent at the time is that they weren't just selling a beverage; they were selling a future global sensation.

Defining its distinctive aesthetic and design

When it came to its packaging, Coca-Cola's famous contoured bottle was not a coincidence, it was born out of a competition. The immense success of the brand led to several copycats, and to beat them, Coca-Cola hosted a bottle design competition. This competition was held to find not just a bottle design that outwits the copycats but also engraves the brand into the customer's memory.

Different bottle manufacturers across the USA were given a simple brief; create a bottle that is distinctive and can be identified in the dark upon touch and also when broken. A manufacturer named The Root Glass Company took the prize with their design, which was inspired by the elongated shape of a cocoa pod. 

Because of its high initial cost, it took some time for bottlers across the country to adopt this contoured packaging, but it gradually gained acceptance and evolved into the classic bottle we know today.  

Seeing the Coca-Cola red everywhere

Dr. Pemberton’s bookkeeper and partner, Frank Robinson, picked the name Coca-Cola believing the two 'C's in Coca-Cola would stand out in advertising. Robinson also put down "Coca-Cola" in his distinct handwriting, giving birth to the Spenserian script logo that has become an indelible part of popular culture today. But behind the iconic red of Coca-Cola involved both an aesthetic choice and a functional one. He initially chose red as the colour for hand-painted oilcloth signs, to grab attention and stand out. Seeing how striking red was against a white background, Robinson decided to incorporate it into the brand's imagery.

Over time, stores, ads, and other marketing materials followed suit, showcasing the words "Coca-Cola" in Robinson's handwriting alongside the phrase "Delicious and Refreshing". Since then, the bold red lettering has become an essential part of Coca-Cola's visual identity.

Becoming an icon across borders and in India

The decades that followed cemented Coca-Cola's place in society, acquiring not just customers, but a legacy. It's been a companion at family dinners, a comfort on long journeys, and a symbol of celebrations big and small. The universality of Coca-Cola makes it as relevant today as it was when it first gained popularity, a testament to its enduring appeal.

Coca-Cola has a notable history in India. It was first introduced in 1950 and later took a hiatus from the market in 1977. In 1993, with the evolving economic landscape in India, Coca-Cola made a return to the country.

Coca-Cola is manufactured by HCCB and remains deeply rooted in India's beverage landscape. As HCCB continues to honour its legacy in India, this timeless beverage continues to evoke cherished memories in the hearts of many.