While the exact origin of its name remains shrouded in mystery, the story of Dr Pepper, the uniquely flavored soft drink, begins with a curious concoction and a local store owner. This is the tale of how a beverage invented at a Waco, Texas soda fountain became known as Dr Pepper, thanks in part to the discerning palate and influence of a man named Morrison, the very first “Doctor Pepper Owner” in a sense.
From “Waco” to Dr Pepper: The Soda Fountain’s Surprise Hit
The drink itself was the brainchild of a pharmacist named Alderton. Eager to test his new creation, Alderton first sought the opinion of Morrison, the owner of the store where the soda fountain was located. Morrison, upon tasting it, was immediately taken by the flavor. After repeated taste tests and refinements by both men, Alderton felt confident enough to offer samples to customers at Morrison’s soda fountain. The response was overwhelmingly positive. Word of Alderton’s new drink spread quickly amongst the soda fountain’s patrons, who began requesting it with a simple, local nickname: “Waco.”
Morrison’s Influence: Naming the Iconic Drink
It was Morrison, the store owner, who is credited with bestowing the name “Dr. Pepper” upon this increasingly popular beverage. Interestingly, the period in “Dr. Pepper” was dropped in the 1950s, simplifying the name we know today. However, the precise reason behind Morrison’s choice of “Dr. Pepper” remains one of the great mysteries surrounding the drink’s history. The Dr Pepper Museum has documented over a dozen different stories attempting to explain the name’s origin, adding to the enduring intrigue of this iconic soda.
The Birth of a Company: Beyond the Soda Fountain
The popularity of Dr Pepper quickly outgrew the capacity of Morrison’s soda fountain. Other soda fountain operators in Waco, recognizing a hit, started purchasing syrup from Morrison to serve to their own customers. This surge in demand created a challenge for Alderton and Morrison, as their small-scale operation couldn’t keep up.
Enter Robert S. Lazenby, a beverage chemist. Impressed by the drink’s flavor and potential, Lazenby saw an opportunity. Alderton, focused on his pharmacy career, wasn’t interested in pursuing the beverage commercially. He encouraged Morrison and Lazenby to take the reins and develop it further. Recognizing the burgeoning success of Dr Pepper, Morrison and Lazenby joined forces. In 1891, they established the Artesian Mfg. & Bottling Company, the precursor to the Dr Pepper Company. Later, in 1923, Lazenby and his son-in-law, J.B. O’Hara, relocated the company headquarters from Waco to Dallas, marking a new chapter in the Dr Pepper story.
In conclusion, while Alderton was the inventor, and Lazenby propelled the business forward, it was Morrison, the store owner – the original “doctor pepper owner” in a retail sense – who played a crucial, often understated role in the early success and, most notably, the naming of Dr Pepper, a beverage that continues to be enjoyed worldwide.
