Current：Home > NewsWhy the price of Coke didn't change for 70 years (classic) -Mastery Money Tools
Why the price of Coke didn't change for 70 years (classic)
View
Date：2025-04-13 06:41:42
This episode originally ran in 2012.
Prices go up. Occasionally, prices go down. But for 70 years, the price of a bottle of Coca-Cola didn't change. From 1886 until the late 1950s, a bottle of coke cost just a nickel.
On today's show, we find out why. The answer includes a half a million vending machines, a 7.5 cent coin, and a company president who just wanted to get a couple of lawyers out of his office.
This episode was hosted by David Kestenbaum. Alex Goldmark is Planet Money's executive producer.
Help support Planet Money and get bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.
Always free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, NPR One or anywhere you get podcasts.
Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter.
Music: "I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke" by New Seekers and "Always Coca-Cola" by Joey Diggs
veryGood！ (5)
Related
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- A Navy officer is demoted after sneaking a satellite dish onto a warship to get the internet
- A Georgia fire battalion chief is killed battling a tractor-trailer blaze
- Parents sue Boy Scouts of America for $10M after jet ski accident kills 10-year-old boy
- Gen. Mark Milley's security detail and security clearance revoked, Pentagon says
- Redefine Maternity Style With the Trendy and Comfortable Momcozy Belly Band
- Shooter at Southern University frat party takes plea deal
- Walz says Gaza demonstrators are protesting for ‘all the right reasons’ while condemning Hamas
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Mexican drug cartel leader will be transferred from Texas to New York
Ranking
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- Democratic primary for governor highlights Tuesday’s elections in Delaware
- Get 50% Off BareMinerals 16-Hour Powder Foundation & More Sephora Deals on Anastasia Beverly Hills
- Here’s What Leah Remini and Angelo Pagán Are Seeking in Their Divorce
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Utah woman killed her 3 children, herself in vehicle, officials say
- Swirling federal investigations test New York City mayor’s ability to govern
- Why the Eagles are not wearing green in Brazil game vs. Packers
Recommendation
Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
Dolphins, Jalen Ramsey agree to record three-year, $72.3 million extension
Vanderpump Rules Alum Kristen Doute Is Engaged to Luke Broderick After 2 Years of Dating
Redefine Maternity Style With the Trendy and Comfortable Momcozy Belly Band
Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
Shackled before grieving relatives, father, son face judge in Georgia school shooting
Report: Connor Stalions becomes interim football coach at a Detroit high school
1 of 2 missing victims of Labor Day boat crash found dead in Connecticut