A Dr. Pepper Timeline
1885: Charles Alderton, of Waco, Texas invents Dr. Pepper, one of many carbonated flavors he 's concocted for the patrons of Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store. One mix in particular catches on: "I'll have a Waco," became a common request.
Late 1880s: Morrison himself coins the name Dr. Pepper, after a friend of his, Dr. Charles Pepper.
1891: With demand for the beverage rapidly outstripping supply, Alderton and Morrison are approached by Robert S. Lazenby, owner of the The Circle "A" Ginger Ale Company. Charles Alderton is not prepared to involve himself in a soft drink business, leaving Morrison and Lazenby to form the Artesian Mfg. & Bottling Company, which later became The Dr. Pepper Company.
1904: 20 million people attend the St. Louis World's Fair Exposition and are introduced to hamburger and hot dog buns, ice cream cones, and Dr. Pepper.
1899 - 1914: The slogans, "King of Beverages" and "Old Doc" begin to appear.
1920s - 1930s: Dr. Pepper's trademark character is a caricature of a monocled country doctor, complete with top hat.
1950s: The slogan, "The friendly Pepper-Upper," begins to appear.
Late 1950s: Owing primarily to typography of the era, the period is removed from "Dr. Pepper."
1960s: The slogan, "The most misunderstood soft drink," begins to appear.
1970s: The slogan, "The most original soft drink ever in the whole wide world," enters advertising copy for the first time.
1977: Dr Pepper undertakes its "Be a Pepper" campaign.
1986: 7-UP and Dr. Pepper merge.
May 1991: The Dr Pepper Museum opens.
1995: Cadbury Schweppes buys Dr Pepper and 7-UP.
2000: Dr Pepper's 105th Anniversary can design includes the initials IMK within a heart in memory of Mark Kloster's late grandmother, Iona Kloster.
