Pepsi Bottle

[SODAPOPBOB]

I came across some of this Pepsi Cola "swirl" stuff while researching the "wave" stuff and hope it helps out here ...

From ...

The Ocala Star-Banner ~ Ocala, Florida

July 10, 1958

Be sure to left click-hold-drag the image to see the accompanying picture on the left side of the article. You can also minimize with - and enlarge with +

I thought this article was especially interesting because of the date (1958). Most accounts regarding the swirl bottle relate it to the 1960s.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VGtPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AAUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2846,1425556&dq=pepsi+cola+who's+got+the+swirl&hl=en

 

[Eric]

Bob this image is too low res to start with... Once an image is reduced the pixels/history are lost and can't be replaced...
the TV and movies that show a crappy image and somehow restore it can't really be done... A machine doesn't know
what was removed pixel wise... You will need to contact the owner to see if they could send a original/high resolution
image before it was reduced for web that will be the only way.

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

ORIGINAL: SODAPOPBOB

P.S. ~

Two reminders ...

1. The Pepsi Cola swirl bottle was introduced around 1962

2. The swirl design does not go all the way to the bottom of the bottle but sort of fades out

Bob

Typo Correction ...

1958 not 1962

Sorry bout that [8|]

Bob

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

ORIGINAL: Eric

Bob this image is too low res to start with... Once an image is reduced the pixels/history are lost and can't be replaced...
the TV and movies that show a crappy image and somehow restore it can't really be done... A machine doesn't know
what was removed pixel wise... You will need to contact the owner to see if they could send a original/high resolution
image before it was reduced for web that will be the only way.

Eric ~

Thanks.

I was actually thinking about contacting the seller from Craigslist but decided against it, especially after epackage was so kind to point out there was in fact a "diamond" pattern bottle.

Bob

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

Of special interest from the 1958 Ocala Star-Banner newspaper article is where it says ...

"The new bottle had been chosen from 100 different drawings and designs ..."

and ...

"Test marketed for 18 months"

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

To set the record straight ... (Because I was drawing from 'poor memory' earlier)

The Pepsi Cola "swirl" bottle was ...

Patent Number: 178,917
Filed: June 17, 1955
Patented: October 9, 1956

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

More pieces to the puzzle ...

Although the Pepsi "swirl" bottle was patented in 1956, it appears it wasn't introduced to the mass market until sometime in 1958. The 18 month test marketing referred to in the Ocala, Florida newspaper, which was dated July 10, 1958, indicates the testing began around January of 1957. The earliest magazine ad I have been able to find picturing the swirl bottle is from 1959. All the magazine ads for 1957 and 1958 picture the "wave" bottle.

Check this out ...

Pepsi Has The "Swirl!"

The News and Courier ~ Charleston, South Carolina ~ October 21, 1958

Be sure to check out ...

1. The dress the lady is wearing.
2. The bottle in the lower right that is standing alone and has a strange looking "wave" label.

http://xrl.us/bpq5q7

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

One thing is certain ...

The term "Swirl" is not a nickname conjured up by a collector but rather an actual Pepsi-Cola campaign term. But what isn't certain is whether the 'opposite direction' swirl bottles were an accident or done intentionally? They obviously came from a mold created by a glass factory, and doubtful that only a handful were produced. But produced by who? - when? - where? is a puzzling but intriguing mystery.

Speaking of mysteries, check out this newspaper article where it says ...

"... was made by William J. Leader, Sr., president of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Fairfield, Inc., franchise Pepsi dealer for this area."

Is this suggesting that William Leader actually (made) "designed" the swirl bottle or only that he "bottled" it?

Sunday Herald ~ March 23, 1958 ~ Bridgeport, Connecticut

http://xrl.us/bpq5xd

 

[SODAPOPBOB]

*

 

[jblaylock]

The diamond bottle looks like a Patio bottle.