John S. Pemberton

John S. Pemberton was an American pharmacist and chemist born in 1831, best known for creating Coca-Cola. Originally a pharmacist, he developed and marketed the beverage in Atlanta in 1886 as a medicinal tonic. The formula combined coca leaf extract and caramelized sugar, which later evolved into the popular soft drink worldwide. Pemberton initially sold it as a syrup meant to relieve ailments, but it gained popularity as a refreshing beverage. His innovation played a significant role in the beverage industry, though he sold his rights to Coca-Cola shortly before his death in 1888.