Explore the History of Pop at Luigi's

Step into and you'll find ceiling-high stacks of drinkable candy in luminous blues, bright oranges and glowing pinks.

This soda pop rainbow includes classics like 7-Up and Coca-Cola, as well as lesser-known carbonated drinks like "Love Potion 69," "Manhattan Special" and "Merengue Soda". 

For an unusual tour, take a trip from one end of the aisle to the other and explore the history of soda pop. Did you know, for example, that Dr Pepper is older than Coca-Cola? Or that root beer was invented as a "delicious herbal tea"? Below is a soft drink timeline from the first bubble to the top of the pops.

1767: Dr. Joseph Priestley from England creates the first man-made, drinkable glass of carbonated water. 

1771: Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman invents a generating apparatus that makes carbonated water from chalk by the use of sulfuric acid. Bergman's apparatus allows imitation mineral water to be produced in large amounts.

1798: The term "soda water" is first coined.

1810: The first U.S. patent is issued for the manufacture of imitation mineral waters.

1819: The "soda fountain" is patented by Samuel Fahnestock.

1835: Soda water is bottled for the first time in the U.S.

1851: Ginger ale is invented in Ireland.

1861: The term "pop" is first coined.

1874: Ice-cream soda is invented by Robert M. Green in Philadelphia.

1876: Root beer is mass produced for public sale after being invented by pharmacist Charles Hires in Philadelphia. 

1881: The first cola-flavored beverage is introduced.

1885: Charles Aderton invents "Dr Pepper" in Waco, Texas.

1886: Dr. John S. Pemberton invents "Coca-Cola" in Atlanta, Georgia. The product was originally a cocoa wine, until prohibition legislation was passed. "Coca-Cola" is sold as a medicine, with the claim that it can cure morphine addiction and impotence, among other ailments.

1892: William Painter invents the crown bottle cap.

1898: "Pepsi-Cola" is invented by Caleb Bradham.

1899: The first patent is issued for a glass blowing machine, used to produce glass bottles.

1920: The U.S. Census reports that more than 5,000 bottlers of carbonated soft drinks now exist.

Early 1920's: The first automatic vending machines are created, dispensing soda into cups.

1923: Six-pack soft drink cartons called "Hom-Paks" are created.

1929: The Howdy Company debuts its new drink "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Sodas" — later renamed "7 Up" — invented by Charles Leiper Grigg.

1934: The first color labels are used on soft drink bottles, with the coloring baked on the face of the bottle.

1952: The first diet soft drink is sold. The product, named "No-Cal Beverage," is a ginger ale sold by Kirsch.

1957: Aluminum cans are first used.

1959: The first diet cola hits the market.

1962: The pull-ring tab, invented by Alcoa, is first marketed by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company.

1963: The Schlitz Brewing company introduces the "Pop Top" beer can to the nation in March, invented by Ermal Fraze of Kettering, Ohio.

1965: Vending machines begin dispensing soft drinks in cans.

1965: The resealable top is invented.

1970: Plastic bottles are first used for soft drinks.