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The game-changer came in 1886 when John Pemberton birthed Coca-Cola, a drink originally infused with alcohol and cocaine. After local prohibition swept through, Coca-Cola dropped both ingredients, but not before cultivating a passionate following. Importantly, Pemberton's marketing tactics laid the groundwork for how soda corporations would engage with consumers moving forward.
The Birth of Competitive Cola
As Coca-Cola began to establish itself, Pepsi Cola entered the scene, launching a competitive rivalry that continues to this day. Coca-Cola strategically introduced an iconic bottle design so distinctive that even a blind person could identify it. This early understanding of branding and marketing set the stage for what would become a multi-billion-dollar industry.