Most everyone knows the story of the origin of Coca-Cola. There was this Georgia pharmacist who came up with a French wine/coca nerve tonic with the addition of kola nut to help him deal with his chronic morphine addiction. He had developed that from his treatment for Civil War injuries twenty years earlier. John Pemberton was so sick that he was conned into selling all rights to his concoction for around $1,700 to one Asa Chandler, an Atlanta businessman with a somewhat shady past. So much for American entrepreneurship. Chandler turned the odd-tasting soft drink (ask anyone who grew up without drinking the stuff) into a top 100 American corporation, the first to do so on the strength of a beverage other than beer.

      No one remembers who first concocted the Coca-Cola or cola float, although it is a close relative of the root beer float, which was invented in Philadelphia in 1874. In the U.S. an ice cream soda is generally made of soda water, syrup, and ice cream and a float is a soft drink, like Coke, with ice cream.

      This handy napkin holder measures 7.5 x 5.5 x 6.5 inches (19 x 14 x 16 cm). It is in very good condition with a strong spring to push napkins toward the top dispenser. You could change the Coke float signs on each side, but we think that is part of this piece’s charm. Use it in your real or recreated soda fountain or ice cream store, or include it in your vintage Coke collection. How many Coke Float pieces do you have? Or invite the neighbors, have a Coke Float party, and use it for the napkins. We will carefully pack and ship the holder. “Whoever You Are, Whatever You Do, Wherever You May Be, When You Think of Refreshment Think of Ice Cold Coca-Cola.” Believe it or not, that was the product’s slogan in 1939. Check out our other Coke collectibles at www.ebay.com/str/agitpropshoppe

HC325019