– **Early Life**:
– Born Caleb Davis Bradham on May 27, 1867, in Chinquapin, North Carolina.
– Graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
– Member of the Philanthropic Society.
– Attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
– Bradham of English and Scots-Irish descent.
– **Bradham Drug Store Company**:
– Dropped out of the University of Maryland School of Medicine circa 1890.
– Opened a drug store in New Bern named the Bradham Drug Company.
– Invented the recipe for Pepsi-Cola in 1893.
– Named the drink after a combination of pepsin and cola.
– Assistant James Henry King was the first to taste the new drink.
– **Pepsi-Cola**:
– Pepsi-Cola Company was incorporated in North Carolina on December 24, 1902.
– First Pepsi-Cola trademark was registered on June 16, 1903.
– Pepsi-Cola production moved out of the drug store in 1903.
– Started selling Pepsi-Cola in six-ounce bottles in 1905.
– Awarded two franchises to North Carolina bottlers.
– **Naval Reserve**:
– Served as an officer in the naval reserve for 25 years.
– Named a lieutenant in the North Carolina Naval Militia.
– Promoted to commander in 1904 and to captain in 1913.
– Retired as a rear admiral.
– Appointed to the General Naval Militia Board in 1914.
– **Success and Buyout**:
– Authorized Pepsi-Cola franchises in over 24 states at the peak of success.
– Declared bankruptcy on May 31, 1923.
– Major factor for bankruptcy was the post-World War I sugar price increase.
– Assets sold to Craven Holding Company for $30,000.
– Bradham returned to operating his drug store after bankruptcy.
Caleb Davis Bradham (May 27, 1867 – February 19, 1934) was an American pharmacist, best known as the inventor of soft drink Pepsi.
Caleb Bradham | |
|---|---|
 Bradham, c. 1900 | |
| Born | Caleb Davis Bradham May 27, 1867 |
| Died | February 19, 1934 (aged 66) New Bern, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Education | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Maryland School of Medicine |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Inventor of Pepsi and Pepsi-Cola Company |