Caleb Bradham
Encyclopedia
Caleb Davis Bradham invented the soft drink
Pepsi-Cola. He was a pharmacist
, born in Chinquapin
, Duplin County, North Carolina
, May 27, 1867. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
and attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Circa 1890, he dropped out of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, owing to his father's business going bankrupt. After returning to North Carolina, he was a public school teacher for about a year, and soon thereafter opened a drug store in New Bern
named the "Bradham Drug Company" that, like many other drug stores of the time, also housed a soda fountain.
This drug store, located on the corner of Middle Street and Pollock Street in downtown New Bern, is where Bradham, on August 28, 1898, invented the recipe—a blend of kola nut extract, vanilla, and "rare oils" -- for what was initially known as "Brad's Drink," but that soon was renamed Pepsi-Cola. Bradham named his drink after a combination of the terms “pepsin
” and “cola
,” as he believed that his drink aided digestion much like the pepsin enzyme does, even though it was not used as an ingredient. His assistant James Henry King was the first to taste the new drink.
On December 24, 1902, the Pepsi-Cola Company was incorporated
in North Carolina, with Bradham as the president, and on June 16, 1903 the first Pepsi-Cola trademark
was registered. Also in 1903, he moved his Pepsi-Cola production out of his drug store and into a rented building nearby. In 1905, Bradham began selling Pepsi-Cola in six-ounce bottles (up until this time he sold Pepsi-Cola as a syrup only), and awarded two franchises to North Carolina bottlers.
On January 1, 1901, Bradham married Charity Credle in New Bern, North Carolina.
Bradham was elected steward of St. John's (Masons
') Lodge No. 3 in 1895; he was later elected or appointed junior warden in 1898, senior warden in 1899, and Worshipful Master in 1900, 1901, and again in 1927. By the time of his death, Bradham had attained the 32nd degree of Scottish Rite, acted as grand commander in the York Rite
, served as provincial grand master of the Order of Colonial Masters of North America, recorder and treasurer of the Sudan Shrine Temple, eminent commander of St. John's Commandery, and master kadosh
of Carolina Consistory No. 3. He also served as an exalted ruler of the New Bern Elks Lodge
.
In addition to running his drug store, he served as the president of the People’s Bank of New Bern, and was a chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners. At one point he was even suggested as a candidate for governor of North Carolina. He also served as an officer in the naval reserve for 25 years; he was named a lieutenant in the North Carolina Naval Militia, was promoted to commander in 1904, and to captain in 1913. He retired as a rear admiral. Additionally, in 1914 he was appointed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
to the General Naval Militia Board.
At the peak of success, Bradham had authorized Pepsi-Cola franchises in over 24 states; however, on May 31, 1923, Bradham and his Pepsi-Cola Company declared bankruptcy. The major factor for Bradham’s business failure was the price of sugar
immediately following World War I
, when prices went up to 28 cents per pound (it was three cents per pound pre-war), and Bradham had purchased a large amount of sugar at that price but the price of sugar nosedived soon after he purchased it. The assets of his company were sold to the Craven Holding Company for $35,000. After declaring bankruptcy, Bradham returned to operating his drug store.
Bradham died on February 19, 1934, after succumbing to a long-term illness. His funeral was held at New Bern's First Presbyterian Church, of which Bradham was a member. He is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern; Masonic rites were administered at his graveside, and the pallbearers were from his Masonic lodge.
Nicholas Sparks, a fiction author who lives in New Bern, mentioned Mr. Bradham in his book Bend in the Road.
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
Pepsi-Cola. He was a pharmacist
Pharmacist
Pharmacists are allied health professionals who practice in pharmacy, the field of health sciences focusing on safe and effective medication use...
, born in Chinquapin
Chinquapin, North Carolina
Chinquapin is an unincorporated community in Duplin County, North Carolina.It is located at 34.8° N latitude and -77.82° W. longitude, at an elevation of .- References :...
, Duplin County, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, May 27, 1867. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
and attended the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Circa 1890, he dropped out of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, owing to his father's business going bankrupt. After returning to North Carolina, he was a public school teacher for about a year, and soon thereafter opened a drug store in New Bern
New Bern, North Carolina
New Bern is a city in Craven County, North Carolina with a population of 29,524 as of the 2010 census.. It is located at the confluence of the Trent and the Neuse rivers...
named the "Bradham Drug Company" that, like many other drug stores of the time, also housed a soda fountain.
This drug store, located on the corner of Middle Street and Pollock Street in downtown New Bern, is where Bradham, on August 28, 1898, invented the recipe—a blend of kola nut extract, vanilla, and "rare oils" -- for what was initially known as "Brad's Drink," but that soon was renamed Pepsi-Cola. Bradham named his drink after a combination of the terms “pepsin
Pepsin
Pepsin is an enzyme whose precursor form is released by the chief cells in the stomach and that degrades food proteins into peptides. It was discovered in 1836 by Theodor Schwann who also coined its name from the Greek word pepsis, meaning digestion...
” and “cola
Cola
Cola is a carbonated beverage that was typically flavored by the kola nut as well as vanilla and other flavorings, however, some colas are now flavored artificially. It became popular worldwide after druggist John Pemberton invented Coca-Cola in 1886...
,” as he believed that his drink aided digestion much like the pepsin enzyme does, even though it was not used as an ingredient. His assistant James Henry King was the first to taste the new drink.
On December 24, 1902, the Pepsi-Cola Company was incorporated
Incorporation (business)
Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...
in North Carolina, with Bradham as the president, and on June 16, 1903 the first Pepsi-Cola trademark
Trademark
A trademark, trade mark, or trade-mark is a distinctive sign or indicator used by an individual, business organization, or other legal entity to identify that the products or services to consumers with which the trademark appears originate from a unique source, and to distinguish its products or...
was registered. Also in 1903, he moved his Pepsi-Cola production out of his drug store and into a rented building nearby. In 1905, Bradham began selling Pepsi-Cola in six-ounce bottles (up until this time he sold Pepsi-Cola as a syrup only), and awarded two franchises to North Carolina bottlers.
On January 1, 1901, Bradham married Charity Credle in New Bern, North Carolina.
Bradham was elected steward of St. John's (Masons
Freemasonry
Freemasonry is a fraternal organisation that arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge...
') Lodge No. 3 in 1895; he was later elected or appointed junior warden in 1898, senior warden in 1899, and Worshipful Master in 1900, 1901, and again in 1927. By the time of his death, Bradham had attained the 32nd degree of Scottish Rite, acted as grand commander in the York Rite
York Rite
The York Rite or American Rite is one of several Rites of the worldwide fraternity known as Freemasonry. A Rite is a series of progressive degrees that are conferred by various Masonic organizations or bodies, each of which operates under the control of its own central authority...
, served as provincial grand master of the Order of Colonial Masters of North America, recorder and treasurer of the Sudan Shrine Temple, eminent commander of St. John's Commandery, and master kadosh
Kadosh
Kadosh is a 1999 film by Israeli director Amos Gitai. It was entered into the 1999 Cannes Film Festival.-Plot:Kadosh is a bleak drama about the plight of women in Haredi society. In the opening scene, Meir , a young Talmudic scholar, thanks God in his morning prayers for not being born a woman...
of Carolina Consistory No. 3. He also served as an exalted ruler of the New Bern Elks Lodge
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is an American fraternal order and social club founded in 1868...
.
In addition to running his drug store, he served as the president of the People’s Bank of New Bern, and was a chairman of the Craven County Board of Commissioners. At one point he was even suggested as a candidate for governor of North Carolina. He also served as an officer in the naval reserve for 25 years; he was named a lieutenant in the North Carolina Naval Militia, was promoted to commander in 1904, and to captain in 1913. He retired as a rear admiral. Additionally, in 1914 he was appointed by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels
Josephus Daniels
Josephus Daniels was a newspaper editor and publisher from North Carolina who was appointed by United States President Woodrow Wilson to serve as Secretary of the Navy during World War I...
to the General Naval Militia Board.
At the peak of success, Bradham had authorized Pepsi-Cola franchises in over 24 states; however, on May 31, 1923, Bradham and his Pepsi-Cola Company declared bankruptcy. The major factor for Bradham’s business failure was the price of sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
immediately following World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, when prices went up to 28 cents per pound (it was three cents per pound pre-war), and Bradham had purchased a large amount of sugar at that price but the price of sugar nosedived soon after he purchased it. The assets of his company were sold to the Craven Holding Company for $35,000. After declaring bankruptcy, Bradham returned to operating his drug store.
Bradham died on February 19, 1934, after succumbing to a long-term illness. His funeral was held at New Bern's First Presbyterian Church, of which Bradham was a member. He is buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern; Masonic rites were administered at his graveside, and the pallbearers were from his Masonic lodge.
Nicholas Sparks, a fiction author who lives in New Bern, mentioned Mr. Bradham in his book Bend in the Road.