John Stith Pemberton

Early Life

John Stith Pemberton was born on July 8, 1831, in Knoxville, Georgia. He was the eldest son of James Clifford Pemberton (1793–1847) and Martha L. Gant (1803–1856). The Pemberton family was well-established in the Southern United States, tracing their lineage back to the early colonial period.

Education

Pemberton received his early education at home and later attended the Reform Medical College of Georgia, where he earned his medical degree in 1850. His studies focused on pharmacy and chemistry, fields that would later play a significant role in his career.

An old-fashioned laboratory with glass bottles, a wooden table, and a chair.

Career

Pemberton began his career as a druggist in Columbus, Georgia, opening his first drugstore in 1853. He quickly gained a reputation for his innovative pharmaceutical formulations, including a popular line of patent medicines.

In 1865, Pemberton moved to Atlanta, where he continued to develop and sell his medicinal products. It was during this time that he created his most famous invention: Coca-Cola.

Invention of Coca-Cola

Pemberton's inspiration for Coca-Cola came from a desire to create a non-alcoholic version of his earlier invention, Pemberton's French Wine Coca. This drink, which contained wine and extracts from the coca leaf and the kola nut, was marketed as a tonic for a variety of ailments. However, in 1886, Atlanta passed a prohibition law, forcing Pemberton to develop a non-alcoholic alternative.

The result was a sweet, carbonated beverage that Pemberton initially marketed as a patent medicine. He named it "Coca-Cola," a reference to its two primary ingredients. The drink was first sold to the public on May 8, 1886, at Jacob's Pharmacy in Atlanta.

Later Life and Death

Despite the eventual success of Coca-Cola, Pemberton did not live to see it. He sold his interest in the company in 1888, just a few years after its creation. Pemberton died of stomach cancer on August 16, 1888, at his home in Atlanta.

Legacy

Pemberton's legacy is most evident in the continued success of Coca-Cola, which has become one of the most recognized brands in the world. His innovative approach to pharmaceuticals and his creation of Coca-Cola have had a lasting impact on the beverage industry.