The
earliest days of Soda Water saw competition among bottlers and soda fountain
operators for the nickels and dimes of their thirsty customers. The advent of
nationally advertised soft drinks in the 1870's ignited a war for control of
the burgeoning Soft Drink Industry.
Battles raged from the offices of soda pop millionaires to the neighborhood drug store soda fountain and even in the streets. The privilege of spending a nickel for your favorite soda pop was challenged by everyone from the Women's Christian Temperance Union to the brewers and saloon keepers. Laws were passed regulating soft drinks by town halls, state legislatures, and the United States Congress. Legal decisions were set down from local magistrates to the U. S. Supreme Court. Government 'Poison Squads' aimed to protect consumers from unsanitary and sometimes deadly soft drinks.
Thousands
of Horatio Alger's tried to make a 'hit' with their own secret formula for the
next Big Drink. Most are not now remembered except through the bottles,
advertising, and ephemera now sought by collectors.
This
site will address the history of Soda Pop in America and it's place in our
culture. As the site develops you will find links to the history of thousands
of brand name soft drinks. Please email your comments.
Dennis
Smith