The Contour Bottle is Born

In 1916, we introduced the 6 1/2-ounce refillable glass contour bottle. For nearly 15 years, Coca-Cola bottlers had used straight-sided bottles in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. However, as the popularity of Coke increased, so did the number of imitators. To address the problem, a distinctive bottle used exclusively for Coca-Cola was developed.

The Root Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana, created the contour bottle -- so distinctive it could be recognized in the dark. There is even a historical marker at the site of the former Root Glass Factory in Terre Haute to commemorate the Coca-Cola contour bottle's birthplace!

The original design of the contour bottle (seen here) was a bit wider than the contour bottle you know. We had to narrow it to meet the specifications of the bottling equipment. One of these prototype bottles is on display at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta.

Though patented in 1915, the contour bottle was introduced to the public in 1916.