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U.S Soda Bottling Company
Historical Research
In an effort to preserve the history of the soft drink bottling
industry in the United States, Platform 3 Research has
undertaken sponsorship of a massive research and
documentation project. Spawned in the late 1980's by one of America's key soda memorabilia collectors and aided by countless other collectors, agencies, and industry personnel, this project has taken on a life of its own and has become a "project of passion" for those associated with it. As of Summer 2009, this effort has produced documentation on well over 30,000 U.S. soft drink bottlers between 1825 and present. These
companies produced soft drinks under some 16,000+ brand names
(of which only a handful is left.)
The ultimate goal is publication of a series of regional volumes listing each of the companies operating in that territory. Documented information will include:
Company Name(s)
Owners/Proprietors/Managers (with known dates)
Dates of Operation
Company/Plant Addresses (with associated dates at each address)
Phone Number(s)
Brands and Flavors bottled
Other specific events such as "destroyed by Fired" / "Bought out by Coca-Cola"
(with specific dates of the event)
Many sources have been utilized to secure this information including the following:
- Hundreds (if not thousands) of Local Telephone Directories
- Hundreds (if not thousands) of City Directories
- Thousands of Local Newspaper Articles and Advertisements
- Information Harvested from Thousands of Actual Soda Bottles, Crowns, & Caps
- Correspondence and Interviews with Actual Plant/Company Managers and Owners
- Correspondence with Heirs and Descendants of Former Companies
- Major Soda Bottle/Memorabilia Collectors
- The NSDA/Ameribev (soft drink industry trade association)
- Government Publications and Records, such as Trademark Registrations,
Licensing and Taxing Records, FDA Certifications, State
Health Dept. Permits, State Treasurers Reports, etc.
- Internet sources
- Advertising Pieces, such as Pencils, Signs, Thermometers, etc.
- Local Library Research Materials
- United Beverage Bureau Publications
- Franchise Records of Parent Companies
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