Have you ever wondered about the stories behind your favorite brands? Well, put on your thinking caps and get ready to be amazed! From Coca-Cola to Apple, each brand has a unique tale to tell. As consumers, we often take for granted the products we use every day without realizing the fascinating history and fun facts behind them.
In this blog, we have curated 11 interesting facts about popular brands that will surprise and amaze you. So, sit back and get ready to be wowed by the stories behind the brands we love and use daily. Let’s dive in!
1- Did You Know, Coca-Cola Contained Cocaine?
Yes, you read that right! The very first Coca-Cola products contained cocaine. But don’t worry, it was only around 9 milligrams per glass. Back in the day, cocaine was actually touted as a substitute for alcohol and was even believed to cure opium addiction. However, in 1903, Coca-Cola removed cocaine from its formula.
Today, Coca-Cola is known for its vast array of products, with around 3,500 beverages and 500 products under its catalog. Whether you’re a fan of classic Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, or one of their many other drinks, there’s no denying the brand’s massive reach and popularity. So there you have it – a fun fact to impress your friends at your next trivia night!
2- Discover the Age of Dabur: It’s More Than What You Imagined.
Dabur, one of the leading FMCG companies in India, has a rich history that dates back to 1884. Founded by Dr. S.K. Burman, the company was established with the aim of producing and dispensing Ayurvedic medicines. Over the years, Dabur has grown to become an integral part of Indian culture, offering a wide range of products that are used by millions of people across the country.
What’s interesting is that Dabur had been in operation for over 60 years before India gained independence from British rule in 1947. What started as Dr. Burman’s dream to create healthcare products has now turned into the world’s largest Ayurveda company. Today, Dabur continues to innovate and expand its product portfolio, catering to the diverse needs of its customers.
3- Samsung: A Surprising Supplier for Apple
Did you know that Samsung, Apple’s biggest rival in the smartphone industry, has also been a supplier of components for Apple devices? While Apple has been attempting to move towards making its own components, it still relies on Samsung and other manufacturers for various parts. This surprising fact showcases the complex relationship between these two tech giants and highlights Samsung’s importance in the supply chain of one of the world’s most valuable companies.
4- Samsung: Beyond Electronics
Samsung’s surprising business portfolio extends beyond its popular electronic devices. Many may not be aware that Samsung has a construction division that built the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. In addition to this, Samsung is also involved in the defense industry. With such diverse business ventures, Samsung truly is a jack of all trades.
5- Pepsi was named after a stomach enzyme – Pepsin
Pepsi is one of the most popular cola drinks in the world. However, not many people know that the name Pepsi is derived from the digestive enzyme pepsin found in the human stomach. Its inventor, Caleb Bradham, believed that his drink could cure dyspepsia and help with digestion, which is why he chose the name Pepsi for his cola.
6- Why is Facebook Blue? The Answer Lies in Mark Zuckerberg’s Eyes
Facebook’s blue color scheme is not just a random choice, but a result of Mark Zuckerberg’s red-green color blindness. When he was developing the social media platform, Zuckerberg wanted to choose a color that he could see clearly, and blue was the color he could see the best. In fact, he once said in an interview that “blue is the richest color for me; I can see all of blue.” So, the iconic blue color of Facebook was born out of necessity and has since become synonymous with the brand.
7- Brotherly Rivalry: The Story of Adidas and Puma
One fascinating fact in the world of sports and fashion is that two of the most renowned athletic brands, Adidas and Puma, were created by brothers! Adolf Dassler and his elder brother Rudolf Dassler co-founded a shoe company in their mother’s laundry room in Germany in the 1920s. They started by making shoes with spikes for track and field athletes, and their creations quickly became popular among Olympic athletes.
However, after World War II, the brothers had a falling out and decided to split the company. Rudolf left and founded his own sports brand, Puma, while Adolf continued the original company under a new name, Adidas, which is a combination of his first and last names.
Despite the animosity between the two brothers, both Adidas and Puma have become iconic brands in the world of sports and fashion, loved by athletes and fashion enthusiasts alike. This fun fact is a testament to the enduring power of brotherly love, and how even in the midst of conflict, great things can still be achieved.
8- Coin Toss: The Naming of Hewlett-Packard
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, the founders of the technology company now known as Hewlett-Packard, flipped a coin to determine the order of their names in the company’s name. The coin toss ultimately resulted in “Hewlett-Packard” rather than “Packard-Hewlett”. Hence its “HP”.
9- The Trio of Fast Food: KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell – all under Yum! Brands!
KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell are three of the biggest fast-food chains in the world, and it might come as a surprise to know that they are all operated by the same company, Yum! Brands. This means that the parent company is responsible for the operations, marketing, and overall strategy of all three chains.
Yum! Brands was founded in 1997 as a spin-off of the parent company of KFC, and since then, it has acquired several other well-known brands such as Taco Bell and Pizza Hut. With over 55,000 restaurants in more than 155 countries, Yum! Brands is one of the largest restaurant companies in the world.
10- BackRub was the original name of what we now know as Google.
Google was first called BackRub, named after the search engine’s analysis of “backlinks.” However, in 1997, co-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page renamed it Google, a play on the mathematical term “googol” that represents the vast amount of information the search engine could index.
11- Guinness Book of World Records Recognizes Tupperware as a Top 20th Century Invention
Tupperware has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century. This airtight plastic container was invented by Earl Tupper in the 1940s and revolutionized food storage. Its design was so innovative that it was recognized as a significant technological advancement in food preservation. Today, Tupperware is a household name and a staple in kitchens around the world.
It’s fascinating to learn about the histories and interesting facts behind the brands we use in our daily lives. From the origins of Coca-Cola to the retina-scan technology in Apple’s products, these brands have shaped our culture and become part of our identity. We hope you enjoyed reading these 11 fun facts and gained a deeper appreciation for the brands we often take for granted. Who knows, maybe you’ll even impress your friends with your newfound knowledge during your next trivia night.
