Dr Pepper is a carbonated beverage that was created in the 1880s in Waco, Texas by Charles Alderton. It was first served in 1885 and first marketed in the U.S. in 1904. Dr Pepper is marketed as having a unique flavor, and includes variations that are made without high fructose corn syrup, or a diet version. When Dr Pepper was served in 1904 at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition it was made with 23 flavors. The formula for Dr Pepper is a secret, with the actual recipe being kept in two halves in different banks in Dallas, Texas. At one point it was rumored to contain prune juice but the company states this is not true.
With its signature fizzy, sweet, cherry-cola zing, Dr Pepper has long been a Southern-favorite soda. First created over 130 years ago in Waco, Texas, by a pharmacist to serve at his drugstore counter, it’s officially the nation’s oldest major soft drink. (Yes, even including Coca-Cola.) And while we still get to enjoy each of the 23 mystery flavors in the modern-day can, the original recipe made with pure cane sugar is where Southerners’ hearts really lie—served in an iced-down glass bottle, of course.
When taking a glance back at the original glass bottles containing the caffeinated refresher, not many people actually notice the distinct trio of numbers that surround the vintage Dr Pepper logo: 10, 2, and 4. Typically, there are more important tasks in mind than dissecting the packaging, like cracking the bottle open and taking a big ‘ole sip, for example. But the origin of its iconic numbers remains elusive, unless you’re privy to the storied history of the Texas soda. You’re not? Here’s the scoop.
The Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas, walks visitors through the fascinating history and tradition of the original Dr Pepper brand, including the obscure numbers 10, 2, and 4 on the glass bottles. Turns out, Dr Pepper’s first slogan was indeed, “Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2, and 4!” Does it make total sense to us now? Not really, but at the time, it won an ad campaign request put out by the brand after research in the 1920s showed that folks generally suffer from a sugar low around 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Hence the need for a sugary, bubbly beverage like Dr Pepper to get you going again.
While you won’t see the numbers on the modern-day can, you can still see 10, 2, and 4 on retro glass Dr Pepper bottles.
After reading an ad in the newspaper, Ms. Sally Mulligan of Coral Springs, Florida decided to apply for one of the jobs. She submitted her application for a job in a Florida lemon grove, but seemed far too qualified for the job. She has a liberal arts degree from the University of Michigan, and a master’s degree from Michigan State University. For a number of years, she had worked as a social worker, and also as a school teacher.
The foreman studied her application, frowned, and said, “I see that you are well educated, and have an impressive resume. However, I have to ask you, have you had any actual experience in picking lemons?”
“Well, as a matter of fact, I have,” she said. “I’ve been divorced three times, owned two Chrysler’s, voted twice for Obama, once for Hillary and once for Biden.”
If you think you have a SAD life…Remember, there is a Mr. Murkowski out there who wishes the Senators had to report to work on a 24/7 schedule…EVERY WEEK. -Sheila Tolley-
The first Valentine cards were sent in the 18th century. Initially these were handmade efforts, as pre-made cards were not yet available. Lovers would decorate paper with romantic symbols including flowers and love knots, often including puzzles and lines of poetry. Those who were less inspired could buy volumes that offered guidance on selecting the appropriate words and images to woo their lover. These cards were then slipped secretly under a door, or tied to a door-knocker.
It was in Georgian Britain that pre-printed cards first began to appear, though these were not yet as popular as they were eventually to become. Perhaps the oldest surviving example dates from 1797: this card, held at York Castle Museum, was sent by one Catherine Mossday to a Mr. Brown of London. It is decorated with flowers and images of Cupid, with a verse printed around the border reading:
