Originally intended as a patent medicine when it was invented in
the late 19th century, Coca-Cola was bought out by shrewd businessman Asa Griggs Candler, whose aggressive marketing tactics
led Coke to its dominance of the world soft drink market throughout the 20th century. Although faced with critiques of its
health effects and various allegations of wrongdoing by the company, Coca-Cola has remained a popular soft drink well into
the first decade of the 21st century.
