Soda, fizzy water, pop - whatever name you know these carbonated beverages by, it’s undeniable that they are widely popular all over the world. With hundreds upon hundreds of soda brands selling their own unique flavors, the soft drink industry is substantial to say the least. What is it about soda that puts it in such high demand? While the sugary taste certainly gives the drink some flavor, it’s really the fizz and pop of soda that appeals to people. In fact, soda did not start out as the sweet treat it is today. Before it became the soda we know, it was merely carbon dioxide infused water. Soda has since had many social, economic and health impacts. Carbonated water first came into existence in 1772 when Joseph Priestley developed his own …show more content…
When Priestley created his device, he found that pumping carbon dioxide into water gave it a pleasant, fizzy taste. However, that wasn’t why Mr. Joseph Priestley felt the need to build the apparatus that started it all in the first place. In the dim and distant days of the early seventeenth century when carbonated drinks lived on only in the dreams of scientists, people believed that the carbon dioxide gases in water were healthy (Korab, Harry Edward). One such person was Robert Doyle, who published exactly that in one of his papers that would eventually lead Priestley to his invention (Korab, Harry Edward). It was commonly thought that natural minerals and gases in water such as carbon dioxide could be medicinal (Korab, Harry Edward). What makes this invention so significant is that it was created to fulfill the needs of the public. In the 18th century, carbonated water was a marvel all on its own, but the fact that everyone believed in its health benefits is what made it thrive. After news of Priestley’s new invention spread, dozens of people began to create their own carbonated water to …show more content…
However, entrepreneurs starting out in the business soon found that they couldn’t make considerable earnings without advertisements. Those who took the time to market their drinks ended up establishing a more profitable business. For years, all carbonated drinks were advertised as medicinal and were sold in pharmacies and drug stores (Soda Pop). In fact, in the late 1890s, Coca Cola sold its soda products as a patent medicine, claiming that it would ease headaches and fatigue (The Invention of Coca-Cola). Ingenious advertising schemes significantly aided the growth of the soda industry. In 2015, soda companies Pepsi and Coca Cola had a combined revenue of over 100 billion dollars. When people started to question the health benefits of soda and companies could no longer proclaim its nutrition, soda companies were able to keep their business by changing how they marketed their