Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink that originated in Atlanta, Georgia in the United States. First invented in 1886, the drink has been manufactured by The Coca-Cola Company since its inception in 1892. The drink today is sold throughout the world, with roughly a billion beverages sold each day, and is one of the most recognizable brands in the world.
1886–1887[]
Coca-Cola was originally invented by John S. Pemberton on May 8, 1886, as a medicine, thanks to its trace amounts of cocaine (hence the "Coca" in the name).
1887–1890[]
Designer:
Frank Mason Robinson
Typography:
Unknown
Launched:
June 6, 1887
In 1887, the now-familiar 'Spencerian' script was first used. In those days, the script varied depending on its application, and the word 'Trademark' also commonly appeared at the bottom of the first 'C'. Many variations of this logo were drawn up for use in advertisements, but this version of the logo was copied and used most; the same is true with the 1892 and 1903 logos.
1889–1892[]
1890–1891[]
An alternate logo was released for Coca-Cola in 1890, which featured art nouveau-inspired lettering, most notably the Cs. This is believed to have been used in lieu of the script logo if needed.
1891–1903[]
1891–1899[]
In 1891, Coca-Cola introduced a new logo, which is an improved version of 1887 script that also incorporates the "fish tail" on the first "C".[1]
By the time this logo was in circulation, the company began to be associated with the color "Red". This was due the barrels that contained the syrup for the formula were painted in that color (which is actually a mix of different Red shades) so tax agents could distinguish them from alcohol during transport.[2] The earliest known usage of this color can be seen in an 1894 painted outdoor wall sign from the Young Brothers Pharmacy in Cartersville, Georgia, that still stood to this day.[3]
This lighter variant with the "Trade Mark" inside of the fish tale was used in tandem with the previous logo, mostly seen in advertisements during the late 1890's and early 1900's.
1899–1903[]
The logo was refreshed in 1899 with minor changes that includes some modifications in the O's and A's and also the font of the script was made a bit bolder.
1903–present[]
1903–1934[]
Coca-Cola's logo underwent a major redesign in 1903, which is starting to look close to its present-day design.
This logo was used on bottles from 1906 until Coca-Cola stopped using paper labels in 1919. From 1973 until 1985, commemorative bottles for some companies' and bottling plants' anniversaries were produced with this logo. In 2008 and 2012, it was used for holiday bottle cartons, albeit inaccurately recreated.
1934–present[]
1934–1946[]
In 1934, the design of the script was made more stylized and the text "Trade Mark Registered" inside of the lower fish-tail was removed (although it would occasionally be featured in some ads of the time).
1946–present[]
Designer:
Unknown
Typography:
Custom
Launched:
November 1946
In late 1946, Coca-Cola fully standardized their logo. The wordmark was edited, streamlined, and became more italicized. This evolved into what would become the company's current and longest-used design to date as well as one of the most famous logos in history.
In 1986, the wordmark was modified with a bolder, slightly straightened-up version of the script. This was used until a revamp in 2002, but briefly returned in 2006 during The Coke Side of Life campaign alongside the main logo and removed again in 2009 with the new Open Happiness campaign.