The History of cabonated soft drinks which is an important beverage today, can traced back to the mineral water from natural springs. The bubbles in spring water emanate as a result of carbon dioxide. This phenomenon was the basis of invention of fizzy soft drinks, like coke.
The first drink [non carbonated] to be ever marketed, probably appeared in the 17th century [1600-1700 AD], in France. It was basically water sweetened with honey, with a dash of lime. In India too, a version of this drink, called Nimbu-Paani, has been in existence for a considerable length of time.
First man-made carbonated drink [carbonated water] was made by Priestley in 1767, in his lab. The process of carbonation of water was later automated for commercial production by Mr. Torbern Bergman, who invented an apparatus for production of large quantities of carbonated water using chalk and acid.
The first patent in USA for manufacture of imitation mineral water was issued in 1810 to Simons and Rundell. In 1832, John Mathews invented an apparatus for the making carbonated water. This apparatus was a great hit amongst soda fountain owners. Drinking Mineral water [natural or man-made], was considered to be good for health. Thus, manufacturers started to flavor the mineral water with herbs and spices. The first flavored carbonated soft drink is believed to have been made by Doctor Philip Syng Physick, in 1807. Thus, soda fountains became a popular part of culture. The customers soon wanted to take their "health" drinks home, which was the beginning of the “bottling” of a soft drink. Gradually, soft-drink bottling industry grew from consumer demand.
The Soft Drink Bottling Industry
Carbonated soft drink bottles are under a lot of pressure from the carbon di-oxide gas. It was important to retain the soluble gas within drink for the drink to be “fizzy”. Thus, inventors were trying to find the best way to do so. In 1892, the "Crown Cork Bottle Seal" was patented by William Painter, which was a very successful way to prevent the gas from escaping.
In 1899, the first patent was issued for a glass-blowing machine. Within a few years, glass bottle production increased from 1,500 bottles a day to 57,000 bottles a day.
Home-Packs and Vending Machines
During the 1920s, the first "Home-Paks" and automatic vending machines began to appea on the market
Timeline
1819
The "soda fountain" patented by Samuel Fahnestock.
1835
The first bottled soda water in the U.S.
1850
A manual hand & foot operated filling & corking device, first used for bottling soda water.
1851
Ginger ale created in Ireland.
1861
The term "pop" first coined.
1874
The first ice-cream soda sold.
1876
Root beer mass produced for public sale.
1881
The first cola-flavored beverage introduced.
1885
Charles Aderton invented "Dr Pepper" in Waco, Texas.
1886
Dr. John S. Pemberton invented "Coca-Cola" in Atlanta, Georgia.
1892
William Painter invented the crown bottle cap.
1898
"Pepsi-Cola" is invented by Caleb Bradham.
1899
The first patent issued for a glass blowing machine, used to produce glass bottles.
1913
Gas motored trucks replaced horse drawn carriages as delivery vehicles.
1919
The American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages formed.
1920
The U.S. Census reported that more than 5,000 bottlers now exist.
Early 1920’s The first automatic vending machines dispensed sodas into cups.
1923 S
ix-pack soft drink cartons called "Hom-Paks" created.
1929
The Howdy Company debuted its new drink "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Sodas" later called "7 Up". Invented by Charles Leiper Grigg.
1934
Applied color labels first used on soft drink bottles, the coloring was baked on the face of the bottle.
1952
The first diet soft drink sold called the "No-Cal Beverage" a gingerale sold by Kirsch.
1957
The first aluminum cans used.
1959
The first diet cola sold.
1962
The pull-ring tab first marketed by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company of Pittsburgh, PA. The pull-ring tab was invented by Alcoa.
1963
The Schlitz Brewing company introduced the "Pop Top" beer can to the nation in March, invented by Ermal Fraze of Kettering, Ohio.
1965
Soft drinks in cans dispensed from vending machines.
1965
The resealable top invented.
1966
The American Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages renamed The National Soft Drink Association.
1970
Plastic bottles are used for soft drinks.
1973
The PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottle created.
1974
The stay-on tab invented. Introduced by the Falls City Brewing Company of Louisville, KY.
1979
Mello Yello soft drink is introduced by the Coca Cola company as competition against Mountain Dew.
1981
The "talking" vending machine invented.Text from “Beverage, Drinks, Sodas, Cocktails Online” and “About.com”
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