You might think of Coca-Cola as an iconic American brand… and you’d be right. But: it was born in the South. How did Coke’s Atlanta birthplace shape what the soft drink became? And how has Coke shaped the South? It’s a story that includes many surprising twists turns, from Civil War wounds to temperance movements, racist fears to philanthropy, small town soda jerks to Peruvian coca farmers.

Coke memorabilia in the archives at Coca Cola headquarters. Photo by Tyler Pratt.
Coke memorabilia in the archives at Coca-Cola headquarters. Photo by Tyler Pratt.

You can find Bart Elmore’s book “Citizen Coke: the Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism” here.

Gravy host Tina Antolini interviews Coca Cola Archivist Ted Ryan. Photo by Tyler Pratt.
Gravy host Tina Antolini interviews Coca-Cola Archivist Ted Ryan. Photo by Tyler Pratt.

Here’s an article by Ted Ryan, the archivist at Coca-Cola, about the contributions the company has made to Atlanta, both philanthropically and to the city’s business environment.

Ted Ryan shows Gravy host Tina Antolini old Coca Cola advertisements in the company's archives. Photo by Tyler Pratt.
Ted Ryan shows Gravy host Tina Antolini old Coca-Cola advertisements in the company’s archives. Photo by Tyler Pratt.
Gravy host Tina Antolini interviewing a statue of Coca Cola founder John Pemberton. Photo by Tyler Pratt.
Gravy host Tina Antolini interviewing a statue of Coca-Cola founder John Pemberton. Photo by Tyler Pratt.
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