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| Elderly gentleman stopping into a soda fountain for a Coca-Cola in his top hat and overcoat. |
Did you ever stop to realize that the soda fountain is as much an American institution as the sausage is a German institution? "French Bread" is an institution in France and the Plum pudding an English institution? And the funny part of it all is that though one seldom sees a soda fountain in Europe (and then only for the sake of attracting American tourist trade) just as soon as a foreigner gets to this country he too seems to learn to love the soda fountain.
But, if you are old enough to look back a few years you will remember that only comparatively recently has the soda fountain been either so popular or so beautiful and hygienic.
You many remember what these old soda fountains looked like--what poor provision they made to supply even their scanty trade.
What has wrought this great change--what has made the soda fountain a national institution--a comfort and necessity in the daily lives of men and women--not only during the hot summer time but the whole year 'round.
The answer lies in that delicious beverage Coca-Cola. Soon after its introduction at the fountains people began to ask more and more for this distinctive drink.
Along with its demand came the demand for more places that would serve it. Soda fountains sprang up everywhere, improving in beauty, neatness and attractive service. It is a fact that the part the soda fountain and all its allied industries have come to play in the economic life of the nation today is due largely to the stimulus given to it by Coca-Cola.
In the same way has the call for bottled beverages grown. In 1899 Coca Cola in bottles was first put on the market and the same quick recognition and appreciation was accorded to it in this form as was so evident in the fountain trade. The same principles of purity, goodness and deliciousness made another astounding record of growth possible. Bottling plants have been established all over the country to take care of this branch.
Just think of it--over 90,000,000 glasses and bottles of Coca-Cola are drunk every month. So--just as much as is the soda fountain a national institution so is Coca-Cola the National Beverage. 1916
There are still a few soda fountains left in America today.
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| A very fancy soda fountain depicted here. Two engaged people are drinking sodas together. During Prohibition in the United States, soda fountains became even more popular among young people looking for opportunities to socialize with the opposite sex. Taking a young lady to the soda fountain after Sunday services was considered a socially acceptable meeting place. |
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