History of Dr Pepper in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 30, 2025

Dr Pepper is a carbonated soft drink invented by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, in the 1880s. It was first nationally marketed in the U.S. in 1904. Today, Keurig Dr Pepper manufactures it in the United States and Canada, while The Coca-Cola Company handles production in the United Kingdom, Japan, and South Korea. PepsiCo produces it in Europe. Various versions exist, including Diet Dr Pepper and additional flavors introduced in the 2000s.

1904: First National Marketing

In 1904, Dr Pepper was first nationally marketed in the United States. It was created in the 1880s by American pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas.

1904: Introduction at Louisiana Purchase Exposition

In 1904, Dr Pepper was introduced nationally at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.

1906: Completion of Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company

In 1906, The Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company Building, the first to be built specifically for bottling Dr Pepper, was completed.

1936: First Dr. Pepper Plant East of the Mississippi

In 1936, John William "Bill" Davis opened the first Dr. Pepper plant east of the Mississippi in Roanoke.

1951: Dr Pepper Sues Coca-Cola

In 1951, Dr Pepper sued the Coca-Cola company for $750,000, alleging that 6.5-oz Cokes were sold below cost and restrained trade.

1963: Donna Loren Becomes "Dr Pepper Girl"

In 1963, singer Donna Loren became the "Dr Pepper Girl", promoting the drink through radio, print, television, and personal appearances.

1967: "Charge" Ad Release

Around 1967, Dr Pepper released the "Charge" advertisement.

1968: End of Donna Loren's Role as Dr Pepper Spokesperson

Donna Loren represented Dr Pepper until 1968, during which she appeared in Beach Party films and performed on television and in films.

1969: Coca-Cola Bottling Company to Bottle Dr Pepper

In 1969, W. W. "Foots" Clements, Dr Pepper's President & CEO, persuaded the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York to bottle and distribute Dr Pepper in the New York metropolitan area.

1972: Dr Pepper Trademark Infringement Suit

In 1972, Dr Pepper sued the Coca-Cola Company for trademark infringement over a soft drink called "Peppo". Coca-Cola subsequently renamed the beverage Mr. Pibb.

1977: "Be a Pepper" Jingle

In 1977, Jake Holmes wrote the lyrics to "Be a Pepper". Barry Manilow performed Holmes's jingle in concerts and on albums, and it became part of a TV commercial.

July 1981: SCTV Sketch Parody

In July 1981, a sketch on SCTV parodied the "Be a Pepper" campaign with a "Dr Shekter" sketch.

1981: End of Miss Teenage America Sponsorship

From 1961 until 1981, Dr Pepper was the sponsor of the Miss Teenage America beauty pageant.

1982: "I'm a Popper" in "The Beach Girls"

In the 1982 film The Beach Girls, the Dr Pepper slogan became "I'm a popper, he's a popper..."

1985: End of "Be a Pepper" TV Commercial Run

The TV commercial using the "Be a Pepper" jingle, which ran from 1977, ended in 1985.

1986: Dr Pepper Sponsors "The Canned Film Festival"

In 1986, the commercials from "Out of the Ordinary" advertising campaign were prominently featured during the syndication of "The Canned Film Festival", which was sponsored by the Dr Pepper Company.

1991: Opening of Dr Pepper Museum

In 1991, the Dr Pepper Museum opened to the public in Waco, Texas. The museum is located in the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company building.

1995: Cadbury Schweppes Acquires Dr Pepper/Seven Up

In 1995, Cadbury Schweppes acquired Dr Pepper/Seven Up.

1995: FTC Blocks Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper Merger

In 1995, the FTC blocked a merger between The Coca-Cola Company and Dr Pepper due to concerns about a monopoly in the "pepper" flavor category of soft drinks.

1996: Dr Pepper Involved in Antitrust Case

In 1996, Dr Pepper was involved in an antitrust case at Texas Stadium involving Jerry Jones, the Dallas Cowboys, NFL Properties, Nike, and other commercial interests due to marketing deals that allegedly violated the NFL's exclusive contracts with Coca-Cola.

2006: New Marketing Campaign

In 2006, a new marketing campaign compared the taste of Diet Dr Pepper to desserts instead of regular Dr Pepper with the slogan "There's nothing diet about it."

August 2007: End of Limited Edition Sale in Canada

In Canada, Dr Pepper was sold as a limited edition from May to August 2007.

December 2007: End of Limited Edition Sale in Canada

In Canada, Dr Pepper was sold as a limited edition from September to December 2007, following the limited run of its diet version.

January 2008: Limited Time Availability in Canada

Dr Pepper became available in Canada in early January 2008 for a limited time.

March 26, 2008: Dr Pepper Offers Free Cans for Guns N' Roses Album

On March 26, 2008, Dr Pepper offered "a free can of Dr Pepper to everyone in America" if Guns N' Roses released Chinese Democracy in 2008.

May 2008: Cadbury Schweppes Spinoff

In May 2008, Cadbury Schweppes spun off Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages into the independent Dr Pepper Snapple Group.

November 23, 2008: Inadequate Distribution of Coupons

On November 23, 2008, after the album's release, Dr Pepper's online distribution of free coupons proved inadequate, leading to legal threats from Guns N' Roses' lawyers.

May 2009: Auction of "Castles Formulas" Book

In May 2009, a ledger book with formulas, possibly an early recipe for Dr Pepper's Pepsin Bitters, was put up for auction but not purchased. Keurig Dr Pepper claims it's a medicinal digestive aid recipe, not the Dr Pepper formula.

2009: "Drink it slow. Doctor's orders" Slogan

As of 2009, the slogan of Dr Pepper was "Drink it slow. Doctor's orders". Celebrities with a connection to the word "doctor" endorsed the beverage.

2011: Dr Pepper Ten Marketing Campaign

In 2011, Dr Pepper Ten launched a marketing campaign targeting men, featuring masculine imagery and the slogan "It's Not for Women". The campaign was considered sexist by some critics.

August 2014: Reformulation of UK Version

In August 2014, the UK version of Dr Pepper was reformulated with artificial sweeteners Aspartame and Acesulfame K, reducing sugar content from 10.3g to 7.2g per 100ml.