Created in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, Dr Pepper is the oldest major soft drink in the United States still in production. It is one year older than Coca-Cola (1886), Pepsi (1893), and R C Cola (1903), all of which were developed in pharmacies and soda fountains. To give his new drink called Waco a test, Alderton first offered it to store owner Wade Morrison whose soda fountain patrons were soon ordering Waco daily. Alderton gave Morrison the formula. He renamed the new drink Dr Pepper (with no period after Dr, eventually). One story of many behind the name is that Morrison named the drink after Dr. Charles T. Pepper of Rural Retreat, Virginia, who had given him his first job. This soft drink was first advertised as a medical aide for digestion and restored vim, vigor and vitality.Although Dr Pepper shares some ties with cola, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration determined Dr Pepper is not classified as a cola, root beer or fruity soft drink. Instead, it is gen...