Here is some fun coupon history:
The first coupon ever was for a FREE bottle of Coca-Cola!
1887: John Pemberton, a pharmacist from Atlanta, creates the recipe for the syrup used to make Coca-Cola and distributes free drink cards to people on the street encouraging them to try the new drink at a specific pharmacy.
1891: Asa Candler, the druggist who bought the formula for Coca-Cola for $2,300, arranges with pharmacies to direct mail account-specific coupons to customers for a free glass at the soda fountain.
1894: Coca-Cola converts their free coupon to the format most typical today — good anywhere the product is sold. Retailers sendts the redeemed coupons to Atlanta with proof-of-purchase of the syrup for reimbursement.
The first “cents-off” coupon was for Post Grape Nuts cereal and it was only for 1c off!
1895: C.W. Post distributes the first cents-off coupon worth 1 penny toward his new health cereal, Grape Nuts.
By the 1930s, coupons were a staple in American households because of the Depression.
In 1965, 50% of American consumers used coupons!
By 1975, that number had risen to 65%!
Read more fun coupon history at National Coupon Month’s website.
Follow Me!