Oops... missing quote mark. I'll try it again.

I found the folowing piece in the Inventors and Inventions section of the Enchanted Learning Web site.

Dr. John Stith Pemberton (1830-1888) was an American pharmacist, soldier, and inventor. He invented Coca-Cola on May 8th, 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He had invented many syrups, medicines, and elixirs before, including a very popular drink called French Wine of Coca, which contained French Bordeux wine, cocaine, and caffeine (from the kola nut).

When Atlanta banned alcohol consumption in 1885, Pemberton had to change the formula of his French Wine of Coca, omitting the French wine. He added sugar, citric acid and essential oils of many fruits to the drink, and the original Coca-Cola was created. It was named for its main ingredients, cocaine and the kola nut. Coca-Cola quickly became a vey popular soda fountain drink.

Pemberton became partners with Frank Robinson and David Roe, but the partners soon began to quarrel and Pemberton soon sold his interest in Coca-Cola. Cocaine is no longer an ingredient of Coca-Cola (since it is now illlegal), but caffeine, sugar, citric acid, and fruit oils remain. The formula for Coca-Cola is a closely-guarded secret.

I thought you all might enjoy it.

      - Mark