Trivia 1 of 30
What soft drink used to be called “Brad’s Drink?”
Once upon a time, in 1893, a pharmacist named Caleb Bradham (the “Brad” in “Brad’s Drink”) concocted a magical elixir with carbonated water, sugar, vanilla, rare oils, and kola nuts (with a disputed touch of pepsin). Bradham, being a clever chap, believed his potion contained health, energy, and digestive benefits, and so he began selling it as a health drink. Thus, Pepsi-Cola was born, inspired by the word “dyspepsia,” meaning “indigestion” (wikipedia.org).
Bradham’s drug store in New Bern, North Carolina, where Pepsi was first sold. Photo: ncpedia.com
Brad's Drink (the original Pepsi) was initially sold in bottles like this.
An early newspaper ad for Pepsi-Cola.
Pepsi’s original trademark, dated June 16, 1903.
Bradham's pharmacy, birthplace of Pepsi. New Bern, NC, early 1900s.
Alas, as with many promising ventures, Pepsi faced a tumultuous inception. Fluctuations in sugar prices, imperfect bottling technology, and abysmal marketing left the company gasping for breath like a fish out of water. After World War I, a defeated Bradham was forced to sell his precious creation (ncdcr.gov).
Pepsi’s Rise to Prominence
Pepsi embarked upon aggressive marketing campaigns in the 1950s, plastering ads on billboards, cinemas, radios, and TVs. One catchy jingle, “Pepsi-Cola Hits The Spot” did especially well. Pepsi’s value skyrocketed, becoming eleven times more valuable by the end of the decade (thestreet.com).
Pepsi’s infectiously catchy “Hits the Spot” radio jingle. Video: dasobst via YouTube
Pepsi’s Marketing Over the Years
Pepsi had always played catch-up with its fiercest rival, the granddaddy of all soft drinks, Coca-Cola. Despite similar formulas, Pepsi fell consistently behind Coke in performance. Until the 1970s, that is, when Pepsi unleashed its secret weapon: “The Pepsi Challenge.” This blind taste test took America by storm, and the company began advertising Pepsi’s supremacy over Coca-Cola, leading to a surge in profits (snackhistory.com).
This 1982 Pepsi commercial highlights the success of its Pepsi Challenge. Video: ewjxn via YouTube
Coca-Cola’s desperate response, “New Coke,” failed miserably, much to Pepsi’s delight. The 70s and 80s became Pepsi’s golden era, with the company adopting its famous red, white, and blue logo and partnering with A-list stars, from Michael Jackson to blockbuster movies like Back To The Future (snackhistory.com).
Pepsi product placement from Back to the Future 2 (1989). Via Delish.com
But Pepsi’s conquests didn’t stop there. In 1989, the company entered the Soviet Union by swapping their drink for old naval ships, making Pepsi the world’s 7th most powerful Navy (albeit with several vessels unfit for sea) (snackhistory.com).
From its humble beginnings as an indigestion remedy to its relentless quest for world cola domination, Pepsi has proven itself a tenacious and inventive brand. Through its rollercoaster journey, Pepsi has left an indelible mark on popular culture and will likely continue to do so for generations to come.
