Published By: Sayan Paul

On This Day, 1892 - Coca-Cola Company Was Founded: How Its Bottle Has Changed Through Years

The Coca-Cola bottle itself is so legendary - but it didn't always look the way it does today.

On January 29, 1892 - exactly 133 years ago - the Coca-Cola Company was founded in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. The rest - as they say - is history. Over the years, it has only grown bigger and bigger across the world. And speaking about Coca-Cola's remarkable popularity, we cannot overlook its 'bottle', which is as iconic as the beverage itself. And interestingly, the bottle didn't always look the way it does today. It has undergone several transformations - yet its appeal has remained constant. As the legendary footballer Pele said, "Wherever you go, there are three icons that everyone knows: Jesus Christ, Pele, and Coca-Cola."

(Credit: know)

Today, as we celebrate Coca-Cola's foundation day, let's have a look at how its bottle has changed its shape and design through the years.

There were no bottles at the beginning

Coca-Cola was invented in 1886 by Dr. John S. Pemberton, a pharmacist in Georgia. At that time, it was simply a syrup mixed with carbonated water and was sold as a non-addictive substitute for morphine at soda fountains in pharmacies. Served in glasses, it was enjoyed by people of all age groups.

(Credit: The Reading Ape)

It was sold as a soda fountain beverage (in glasses) until 1899.

The Hutchinson bottles

Joseph A. Biedenharn, owner of a candy store in Vicksburg, Mississippi, was the first person to realize that bottling the Coke could boost its sales. Therefore, he started putting the drink into Hutchinson bottles, a popular reusable glass bottle at that time.

(Credit: Miles Commodore)

While it did boost Coca-Cola sales at Biedenharn's store, the bottle design was very common, which resembled those used for other beverages. Biedenharn requested Asa Griggs Candler (who owned the rights to the brand) to develop a new bottle, but the latter believed that bottling wouldn't make any difference.

(Credit: Historic Hub)

The birth of the iconic contour bottle

Sometime later, Candler sold the bottling rights of Coca-Cola to two brothers from Chattanooga, Joseph Whitehead and Benjamin Thomas.

In 1915, the two brothers launched a competition to create a new design for the beverage, one so distinctive that could be recognized even in the dark or when broken. The winning design came from the Root Glass Company (Terre Haute, Indiana), which featured a contour silhouette with vertical grooves. The design was aesthetically rich and reflected the essence of the drink.

(Credit: Pop Hive)

The bottle was officially introduced in 1916, which not only set Coca-Cola apart but also increased its sales manifold.

The king-size and family-size bottles

Between the 1920s and the 1950s, as the Coca-Cola brand grew bigger worldwide, its bottle underwent various modifications to adapt to the market trends. 

During the mid-1950s, consumers were preferring larger servings of the beverages. Therefore, Coca-Cola introduced the king-size bottle which retained its traditional shape but increased the size. While the bottle had previously encapsulated 6.5 ounces of the drink, the king-size contained 10- and 12 ounces of it.

Later, thanks to the growing popularity of Coca-Cola, the company introduced a family-size bottle that contained 26 ounces of the drink. Soon, it became popular at family gatherings and events.

Notably, the popularity of the family-size bottle led to the birth of the 'diamond label design' which was considered more sophisticated among consumers.

The plastic bottle

In 1964, Coca-Cola introduced a new policy called 'No Deposit No Return', which allowed consumers to keep their Coca-Cola glass bottles. While this boosted sales, the policy naturally increased the cost.

Hence, during the late 1970s, the company introduced plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate. The new material was lightweight and recyclable, making it more convenient for both the brand and the consumers.

However, needless to say, that was long before 'plastic waste' became a public concern.

The aluminum contour bottle

In 2005 - to cater to contemporary aesthetics - Coca-Cola introduced an aluminum version of its contour bottle, which was more appealing.

Well, Coca-Cola has come truly a long way - and how! And the evolution in the bottle's shape and design (and sometimes material) shows the kind of commitment the company has toward excellence.