7 Up

First hitting shelves in 1929, 7 Up is an American brand of lemon-lime flavored soft drink that stands out for being caffeine-free. Charles Leiper Grigg, a persistent innovator with a background in advertising and sales, developed the formula in St. Louis, Missouri, through his Howdy Company. He aimed to create a superior lemon-lime soda, facing stiff competition from an estimated 600 similar beverages already on the market. Initially named "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda" and containing lithium citrate, the drink's name was eventually shortened to "7 Up" in 1936. Despite a challenging start during the Great Depression, the brand persevered.

The ownership of 7 Up has seen several shifts over the years. Westinghouse acquired it in 1969, followed by Philip Morris in 1978. A significant development occurred in 1986 when an investment firm engineered a merger with Dr. Pepper, creating the Dr. Pepper 7 Up company, which became the third-largest soft drink maker in the United States. Cadbury Schweppes plc took over in 1995, and in 2008, its beverage division became the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, eventually merging with Keurig to form Keurig Dr Pepper in 2018. This complex corporate journey highlights the enduring appeal and market presence of the 7 Up brand. [edit]