Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and one of the best known brand names in the world. Coca-Cola is the official sponsor for many sporting events, for example the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, various teams in the Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League. In recent years, Coca-Cola has been criticized because of its high content of sugar, which, if consumed excessively, could cause obesity.

John Pemberton, an Atlanta pharmacist, invented Coca-Cola in 1886, but quickly began selling off portions of the business. In 1888, he sold his remaining interest to Asa Candler. Candler in turn bought up the pieces previously sold by Pemberton, gaining complete control of the product in 1891. By 1893, Candler had incorporated The Coca-Cola Company and registered Coca-Cola as a U.S. trademark.