Current：Home > reviewsWhy the price of Coke didn't change for 70 years (classic) -SummitInvest
Why the price of Coke didn't change for 70 years (classic)
NovaQuant View
Date：2025-04-10 06:36:39
This episode originally ran in 2012.
Prices go up. Occasionally, prices go down. But for 70 years, the price of a bottle of Coca-Cola didn't change. From 1886 until the late 1950s, a bottle of coke cost just a nickel.
On today's show, we find out why. The answer includes a half a million vending machines, a 7.5 cent coin, and a company president who just wanted to get a couple of lawyers out of his office.
This episode was hosted by David Kestenbaum. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.
Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
Always free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or anywhere you get podcasts.
Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
Music: "I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke" by New Seekers and "Always Coca-Cola" by Joey Diggs
veryGood！ (2)
Related
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- A Single Fire Killed Thousands Of Sequoias. Scientists Are Racing To Save The Rest
- Wagner chief Prigozhin says he's accepted truce brokered by Belarus
- Ava Phillippe's New Blunt Bangs Make Her Look Even More Like Mom Reese Witherspoon
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Hurry, Nordstrom Rack's Secret Dr. Martens Flash Sale Is Too Good to Miss
- The Dixie Fire Has Destroyed Most Of A Historic Northern California Town
- 'A Code Red For Humanity:' Climate Change Is Getting Worse — Faster Than We Thought
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Hurry, Nordstrom Rack's Secret Dr. Martens Flash Sale Is Too Good to Miss
Ranking
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $360 Tote Bag for Just $79
- These giant beautiful flowers can leave you with burns, blisters and lifelong scars. Here's what to know about giant hogweed.
- Entergy Resisted Upgrading New Orleans' Power Grid. Residents Paid The Price
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Three (Hopeful!) Takeaways From The UN's Climate Change Report
- Pushed to the edge, tribe members in coastal Louisiana wonder where to go after Ida
- Myanmar says it burned nearly half-billion dollars in seized illegal drugs
Recommendation
Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
There's A Big Push For Electric Cars, With The White House Teaming Up With Automakers
Satellite Photos Show Louisiana Coast Is Still Dealing With Major Flooding Post-Ida
Grisly details emerge from Honduras prison riot that killed 46 women
Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
Why Lizzo “Cried All Day” When She Was Asked to Make Surprise Appearance on The Mandalorian
We need to talk about your gas stove, your health and climate change
Entergy Resisted Upgrading New Orleans' Power Grid. Residents Paid The Price