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The collector of soft-drink related collectibles usually gravitates toward the large group of Coca-Cola items available for collecting. Bottles and even cans make great additions to their collections. Coca-Cola is a well-known brand all throughout the world, and their bottle shape and signature logo are recognized by people of all ages and locations. In fact, little about them has changed since their debut on the market in 1916.

Brand recognition of this product is so potent that "Coke cola" is the obvious synonym some use to mean any soft drink at all. The company is not entirely happy about other brands being called by their copyright, but it shows how pervasive their product really is.

Although Atlanta druggist John Pemberton first sold Coca-Cola in 1886 it would be several years before the familiar Coca-Cola bottle would appear. Pemberton first sold his beverage for five cents a glass from a soda fountain in his pharmacy. Records indicate the Pemberton's accountant Frank Robinson suggested the name Coca-Cola. Robinson also contributed his handwriting to the beverage's now famous script logo of the words Coca-Cola. Joseph Biedenharn designed the first Coca-Cola bottles and sent the company samples of his design but they would not appear on the market for several years.

Although imitation is called the sincerest form of flattery, similarity of a competitor product can hurt sales in business. A company once wanted a bottle for the "real thing" that was so distinctive, that customers would be sure that they had the right product just from holding the bottle. There was once a contest held to help identify a bottle that was distinctive in the darkness or when someone was blindfolded. The curvy nature of the now well-known Coca-Cola bottle was the clear winner.

The basic shape of Coco-Cola bottles has stayed the same, but it has been altered slightly for different reasons. One of the reasons was practicality. The original bottles were wider in the middle, which made them unsteady on conveyor belts. To avoid tipping, they were made thinner, but many people think the appearance is more balanced and attractive.

Slight differences were required for the design of plastic 20 ounce bottles when these were produced and used commonly in vending machines. The very large sizes like the two liter and three liter family size Coca-Cola bottles are not contoured for technical and manufacturing reasons and are an exception to the standard shape. Collectors may still enjoy finding very old bottles without the standard shape as well.

Soda-Pop-Collectibles.com is the leading source for Coke cola collectibles. You'll find the world's largest assortment of antique Coca-Cola bottles. Something for every collector!