Lot # : 1534 - COCA-COLA Root GLASS BOTTLE ~ BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

SHIPPING AVAILABLE > Standing 7.5" tall, measuring 2.25" in diameter, a pale aqua glass soft drink soda bottle featuring cast relief stylized script lettering at the lower base reading ~ COCA-COLA, along with BIRMINGHAM, ALA. in block letters to the opposite side ~ To the underside base, cast block letters read ROOT, identifying the manufacturer. CONDITION REPORT > As discovered, not cleaned or altered ~ Oxidation overall, with a degree of iridescence ~ Settled dust and debris ~ Otherwise, a sound example. History Relative to the Root Glass Company The straight-sided bottles were embossed with the classic script logo, featuring "Coca-Cola" written in Spencerian script were often identified by their embossed labels, which included the name of the bottler and the city where they were produced. Root Glass Company was one of the key producers of these bottles, and its work set the stage for a major transformation in Coca-Cola's bottle design. The turning point for Root's involvement came in 1915 when Coca-Cola sought to distinguish its brand from numerous imitators by developing a distinctive bottle. At that time, many other soda brands used similar straight-sided designs, leading to consumer confusion. In response, Coca-Cola launched a design competition among glass companies to create a bottle that would be uniquely associated with the brand, even when broken or shattered. Root Glass Company won the competition with its contour bottle design, which became known as the “hobbleskirt” bottle because of its hourglass shape resembling the silhouette of a hobble skirt, a fashion trend at the time. The design, created by Root's team—consisting of Alexander Samuelson, Earl R. Dean, and others—was inspired by the curves of the cocoa pod, a nod to the Coca-Cola name. Root's design was both practical and visually striking. The contour shape made the bottle easy to grip, and its distinctive profile allowed consumers to recognize it by touch in the dark. The bottle also provided greater strength against breakage compared to the straight-sided designs, which was important for transportation and handling. The contour design was patented by Root in November 1915 and officially introduced to the market in 1916. The bottle’s design became one of the most recognizable packages in the world. Root Glass Company's success with the contour bottle design cemented its legacy in Coca-Cola history, and the company produced many of the early examples of this new bottle. The bottles bore the "ROOT" embossing on the base, identifying the manufacturer, along with the patent date, which often appears as "NOV. 16, 1915." While Root Glass Company continued to produce Coca-Cola bottles for several years, the company's story took another turn in 1932 when it was acquired by the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a major player in the glass industry. Even after Root's acquisition, its contribution to Coca-Cola's branding endured, as the hobbleskirt bottle became synonymous with the Coca-Cola brand worldwide. Today, the early Root Glass Company Coca-Cola bottles, particularly those featuring the 1915 patent date, are highly sought after by collectors. Their significance lies in the role they played in defining the visual identity of Coca-Cola, transitioning from a generic glass bottle to one that became a symbol of the brand’s authenticity and heritage. These early bottles are a testament to the ingenuity of Root’s designers and the lasting impact of their work on the history of beverage packaging. History of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Birmingham, Alabama The Birmingham, Alabama Coca-Cola Bottling Company has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, playing a significant role in the expansion of Coca-Cola’s bottling operations across the southern United States. As a major city in the Southeast, Birmingham became an ideal location for one of the earliest and most successful bottling franchises, serving both the city and the surrounding region. The origins of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Birmingham trace back to 1902, when a local entrepreneur, Crawford Johnson, obtained the rights to bottle Coca-Cola in Birmingham. Johnson, originally a grocer, recognized the potential of Coca-Cola as a bottled beverage during a time when soda was primarily sold at soda fountains. His foresight allowed him to secure bottling rights for Birmingham and the surrounding region, making the Birmingham franchise one of the earliest and most significant in the Coca-Cola system. Under Johnson’s leadership, the Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company quickly grew. The company’s early success can be attributed to Johnson’s effective marketing strategies and the growing popularity of bottled soda among consumers who could now enjoy Coca-Cola outside of fountain shops. The first bottles used by the Birmingham plant were straight-sided with the Coca-Cola script embossed, typical of early bottling before the contour bottle was introduced in 1915. Crawford Johnson's operation in Birmingham became a model for other Coca-Cola bottlers across the country, contributing to the company’s bottling success. The Birmingham bottling plant expanded several times in its early years to accommodate increased demand, adding new facilities and upgrading equipment. The plant's reach extended beyond Birmingham, helping distribute Coca-Cola throughout Alabama and into parts of neighboring states. The Birmingham bottling company was among the first to adopt the contour or “hobbleskirt” bottle in 1916, which set a new standard for Coca-Cola's packaging. This iconic design, intended to be instantly recognizable even when broken or in the dark, became a hallmark of the brand. The bottles produced in Birmingham during this period often featured "Birmingham, Ala." embossed on the bottom, making them collectible items today. These bottles helped solidify the visual identity of Coca-Cola and ensured consistency across markets. As Coca-Cola grew, so did the Birmingham bottling operation. The company became deeply embedded in the local community, not only through its product but also by supporting local events, charities, and sports teams. This community engagement helped solidify Coca-Cola's presence in Birmingham, making the brand synonymous with local culture. During the mid-20th century, Birmingham’s Coca-Cola Bottling Company continued to expand its production capabilities and embrace new packaging formats, such as aluminum cans and larger plastic bottles, as consumer preferences shifted. The company adapted to new technologies and distribution methods to keep pace with changes in the beverage industry, ensuring that Coca-Cola products remained widely available throughout Alabama. By the late 20th century, many local bottling operations, including the Birmingham franchise, underwent changes as The Coca-Cola Company sought to streamline its production and distribution processes. In 1972, the Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company became part of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc., a larger bottling group headquartered in Birmingham. Coca-Cola United acquired multiple bottling franchises in the Southeast, becoming one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States. This merger allowed for greater operational efficiencies and ensured that the Birmingham facility remained a key production hub for the region. Today, Coca-Cola Bottling Company United continues to operate in Birmingham as part of its extensive network. The company has maintained its roots in the city while adapting to modern demands, with a focus on sustainable practices, technological advancements, and community involvement. The legacy of the Birmingham Coca-Cola Bottling Company remains a significant part of the local history, reflecting the city’s role in the broader story of Coca-Cola's growth in the United States. It stands as a testament to how a local entrepreneurial spirit helped shape one of the world’s most recognizable brands.