In 1886, Dr. John S. Pemberton, a pharmacist in Atlanta, Georgia, combined a selection of distinctive ingredients to create a uniquely flavored syrup — the first step toward the refreshing, uplifting Coca-Cola we all know today.
Introduced in the United States in 1961, Sprite became the market-leading brand in the clear sparkling beverage category. Today it is sold in more than 190 countries and is the second-largest brand in The Coca-Cola Company's portfolio, after Coca-Cola itself.
Max Keith, head of Coca-Cola's operations in Germany, and his team originally planned to name the new drink "Fantasy," after the word for imagination. It was a sales colleague, Joe Knipp, who suggested "FANTA" — a name everyone preferred, and one the brand has carried since 1941.
In 1783 the Swiss scientist Jacob Schweppe refined and patented his process for producing carbonated water, giving rise to Schweppes — the world's first sparkling water and soft drink brand.
