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.

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.

Asa G. Candler, who acquired the business after Pemberton’s demise, oversaw Coca-Cola’s first bottling and initiated a period of rapid growth.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.