Initially Coca cola was sold as a medical elixir in 1886 by war veteran and morphine addict Dr. John Pemberton. The original recipe was alcoholic, contained cocaine, and was sold as a remedy for headaches and a low sex drive, ya it was basically the original Viagara. But the recipe would eventually be altered and the company's next owner made a few genius marketing moves s that turned this small business beverage into an American brand that would go global. For decades the company dominated the soda market, but then a growing rivalry from Pepsi and some shady business practice would put this feel-good brand to the test.