The Coke Freestyle Machine and the Decline of American Excellence

During the 1880’s, the most popular drink in America was alcohol. I don’t even have to cite the statement, it is common knowledge. Coca-Cola was conceived as a temperance drink with its selling points being Sugar, Water, Caffeine….and Cocaine. Due to the problematic aspect of cocaine, the ingredient was de-emphasized and phased out of production by 1903. Within a century, with a simple marketing strategy of mixing sugar, water, and caffeine, Coca-Cola has become the most consumed soft drink i