Coca-Cola marks 100 years of quintessential glass bottle

By NewsGram Staff Writer

It's not only the distinctive and delectable taste of Coca-Cola that rules the hearts of zillions of people worldwide, but it's also the curvaceous glass bottle of the beverage that offers it a striking identity around the globe.

The Coca-Cola bottle can be coined as one of the artistic creations of the 20th century. In 1915, the Coca-Cola Company issued a creative challenge to a handful of U.S. glass companies to develop a "bottle so distinct that one would recognize it by feeling in the dark or lying broken on the ground."

The company finally selected the design made by Alexander Samuelsson, the chief designer of the Root Glass Company. After its launch, it created a mind-blowing inspiration and enthusiasm among various people, from erudite to ignorant.

The company will be celebrating 100 years of the iconic glass bottle this year. It will celebrate the centenary by launching different campaigns that include new ads featuring iconic celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley and Ray Charles. The advertisements will also show the stars being "kissed by" the Coca-Cola bottle, an experience shared across generations for the last 100 years.

"The Coca-Cola Contour Glass Bottle is a design classic, which has stood the test of time and fashion changes," said Bobby Brittain, Marketing Strategy and Activation Director, Coca-Cola, Great Britain.

"We wanted to create a campaign that celebrates the rich history and heritage of Coca-Cola bottle throughout the past 100 years, and show how it continues to endure as a pop culture icon," he added.

To make the anniversary memorable, the company will organize a competition named as '#Mashupcoke.' The idea is to make Coca-Cola bottle with three colors: red, black and white with the theme 'recreate and imagine vintage Coca-Cola bottle'.

"We wanted to celebrate our past, while simultaneously writing our future, through design," explains James Sommerville, Coke's Vice President, Global Design.

"The resulting posters are as unique and varied as their creators – each an expression of individuality linked together by the Coca-Cola bottle," he added.

Many of these pieces will be featured in a global campaign commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Coke bottle. Selected artwork will include 'The Coca-Cola Bottle: An American Icon at 100 and The Coca-Cola Bottle Art Tour: Inspiring Pop Culture for 100 Years.' The pieces will also be featured on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.