Today I’d like to recall for you the cola wars.
What was that about?
Well, of course, it wasn’t a real war. But there was a lot of competition. Mainly between Coca-Cola
and Pepsi-Cola.
But there were others. Like RC Cola. And the stores even sold a cola syrup we could mix with carbonated water to make a cola drink.
Did you do that?
A few times, but most;y it was between the two biggies: Coke and Pepsi.
Was there a price difference, as with the ice-cream bars?
No, but the effect was the same. Back then, both Coke and Pepsi came in bottles. And they each cost only 5 cents. But Coke bottles held only 6 ounces.
While Pepsi held 12 ounces.
Coke had a distinctively curved shape. Easy to hold. But look at the glass. How thick it was. It disguised how little was in the bottle.
I’ve heard the phrase “Coke bottle glasses.” Is that related?
Yeah. Unfortunately, if some kid wore glasses with especially thick lenses, some bully might use that phrase to make fun of him.
Anyway, some of us may have preferred the taste of Coke, but others of us would go for the bigger bottle, the Pepsi Cola. And their ads had a memorable jingle, too.
What was that?
Okay. Here goes.
Pepsi Cola hits the spot.
Twelve full ounces; that’s a lot.
Twice as much for a nickel too.
Pepsi Cola is the drink for you.
I think I’ve heard it before.
It was catchy. Notice that they emphasized the point that we got twice the amount for the same price.
Hey, next time I want to make one more point about the bottles.
Okay. See you then.