Coca-Cola was first discovered by John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist.

He stirred up a fragrant, caramel-colour liquid and combined it with carbonated water, and let the customer taste it and they all agreed. At Jacobs Pharmacy soda fountain, it is sold for 5 cents per glass. Pemberton's bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, named the mixture Coca-Cola. A century later, The Coca-Cola Company has produced more than 10 billion gallons of syrup. During 1888-1891, Atlanta businessman Asa Griggs Candler secured rights to the business for about $2,300. Asa G. Candler, a natural born salesman, transformed Coca-Cola from an invention into a business. Inevitably, the soda's popularity led to a demand for it to be enjoyed in new ways. Imitation may be the sincerest form of flattery, but The Coca-Cola Company was not pleased of copycat beverages taking advantage of its success. To combat copycats, Coca-Cola develops a unique bottle. The Coca-Cola Company grew rapidly, moving into Canada, Panama, Cuba, Puerto Rico, France, and other countries and U.S. territories. Perhaps no person had more impact on The Coca-Cola Company than Robert Woodruff. Woodruff was a marketing genius who saw opportunities for expansion everywhere. Convenient packaging revolutionizes soft drink consumption by enabling people to enjoy Coca-Cola anywhere. After 70 years of success with one brand, Coca-Cola, the Company decided to expand with new flavors: Fanta, developed in the 1940s and introduced in the 1950s; Sprite followed in 1961, with TAB in 1963 and Fresca in 1966. In 1960, The Coca-Cola Company acquired The Minute Maid Company, adding an entirely new line of business -- juices -- to the Company. Coca-Cola found a home in more and more places: Cambodia, Montserrat, Paraguay, Macau, Turkey and more. Advertising for Coca-Cola, really came into its own in the 1970s, and reflected a brand connected with fun, friends and good times. In 1978, The Coca-Cola Company was selected as the only Company allowed tosell packaged cold drinks in the People's Republic of China. The 1980s -- the era of legwarmers, headbands and the fitness craze, and a time of much change and innovation at The CocaCola Company. In 1985, Coca-Cola becomes the first soft drink in space. The 1990s were a time of continued growth for The Coca-Cola Company. The company continues its long-standing association

with athletic events including Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup. And 1993 saw the introduction of the popular "Always Coca-Cola" advertising campaign, and the world met the lovable Coca-Cola Polar Bear for the first time. New beverages joined the Company's line-up, including Powerade sports drink, Qoo children's fruit drink and Dasani bottled water. Now well into its second century, the Company's goal is to provide magic every time someone drinks one of its more than 500 brands. Coca-Cola is committed to local markets, paying attention to what people from different cultures and backgrounds like to drink, and where and how they want to drink it. From the early beginnings when just nine drinks a day were served, Coca-Cola has grown to the worlds most ubiquitous brand, with more than 1.7 billion beverage servings sold each day. When people choose to reach for one of The Coca-Cola Company brands, the Company wants that choice to be exciting and satisfying, every single time. Coca-Cola is already at its peak in terms of its carbonated sugar and sugar-substitute based beverage that includes Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite and Fanta. In its aim to enhance its company image, Coca-Cola also produces health-conscious beverage products including, water, juice drinks, sports and energy drinks, teas, and coffees. The sale of health-conscious products will overshadow the sales their traditional carbonated beverages. Also, prices of some of the raw materials such as aluminum and sweetener are rising which also affect its earnings.