John Pemberton

John Pemberton was an American pharmacist born in 1831 who is best known for inventing Coca-Cola in 1886. Originally formulated as a medicinal syrup to treat various ailments, his creation eventually became one of the world's most famous soft drinks. Pemberton’s recipe combined sugar, caramel, and natural flavors in a carbonated beverage. His innovation transformed the beverage industry and laid the foundation for a global brand. Though he sold parts of his business before his death in 1888, his invention left a lasting cultural and commercial legacy.