Hand holding a bottle of Coca-cola.
The Little-Known History Behind Coca-Cola Bottles

NEWS

By ELIAS NASH
Empty Coca-Cola bottles lined up in a factory.
When it comes to advertising, Coca-Cola’s secret weapon is its iconic glass bottle. Invented over 100 years ago, it’s a unique and enduring symbol in the beverage industry.
Bottle of Coca-Cola syrup.
Originally created in 1886 as a syrup for soda fountains by pharmacist John Pemberton of Atlanta, Georgia, Coca-Cola’s journey took a significant turn in 1888.
Historic Coca-Cola bottle timeline.
Asa G. Candler, who acquired the business after Pemberton’s demise, oversaw Coca-Cola’s first bottling and initiated a period of rapid growth.
Ice cubes being dropped into glass of coca cola.
In 1899, the rights to bottle Coca-Cola were secured by Tennessee lawyers Benjamin Thomas and Joseph Whitehead, but challenges arose as competitors replicated the generic bottle.
Coca-Cola bottles over the years.
While this prompted legal actions from Coca-Cola that took years to resolve, the company and its bottling partners eventually opted for a fresh packaging approach.
Empty glasses in a shelf.
In 1915, the Coca-Cola Bottling Association issued a challenge to 10 American glass companies, asking for a unique bottle and offering the winner $500 (about $15,500 in 2023).
Coca cola spraying out of its bottle.
Interestingly, Earl Dean and Clyde Edwards from Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana, found inspiration for the bottle’s design and won the competition using a dictionary.
Coca cola glass bottles against a red background.
They were reminded of Coca-Cola when they came across the word “cocoa beans,” which prompted Dean to draft a bottle shaped like a bean and set the standard for Coke’s iconic bottle.