What is the true story of Dr PepperÔ

There are a few different versions of how this beverage was conceived and named.

From the Wythe County Bicentennial Book authored by Mary Kegley:

There are varying stories, but most accounts agree that the name was given to honor Dr. Charles T. Pepper who was said to have concocted the drink. His clerk at the store, Wade Morrison later went to Waco, Texas where he reproduced the drink naming it Dr. Pepper. Some say Morrison created the drink in Texas. After Morrison became the owner of the drug store in Texas, Charles C. Alderton of New York was hired to handle the soda fountain and mixed fruit flavors, finally blending the favorite drink now so popular. Robert Sherman Lazenby (1867-1941) president of DR. Pepper Company for many years is also credited with perfecting the flavor with a blend of 23 fruit flavors. The drink was probably introduced to the public on a regular basis about 1885, was first bottled in 1886. In 1888 it was bottled in Waco, TX by Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Company.

Dr. Charles T. Pepper also had a son, Louis or Louie, an optometrist who was also known as Dr. Pepper. He worked part time in his father's drug store and also claimed to have developed the formula for the drink.

Another story is that Morrison had romantic aspirations on Dr. Pepper's daughter. Dr. Pepper was not in favor with the match and that is why Morrison left for Texas. This story is probably not true because within the time frame, Dr. Pepper's daughter would only have been around 5 at the time Morrison left.

From the Dr Pepper Museum:

Dr Pepper Company is the oldest major manufacturer of soft drink concentrates and syrups in the United States. It is America's unique flavor and was made and sold in 1885 in the Central Texas town of Waco.

Dr Pepper is a “native Texan,” originating at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store. It is the oldest of the major brand soft drinks in America. Like its flavor, the origin of Dr Pepper is out-of-the-ordinary. Charles Alderton, a young pharmacist working at Morrison's store, also served carbonated drinks at the soda fountain. He had noted that the customers soon tired of drinking the same old fruit flavors. After numerous experiments he finally hit upon one he liked.

To test his new drink, he first offered it to store owner Morrison, who also found it to his liking. After repeated sample testing by the two, Alderton was ready to offer his new drink to some of the fountain customers. They liked it as well. Other patrons at Morrison's soda fountain soon learned of Alderton's new drink and began ordering it by asking him to shoot them a "Waco."

Morrison is credited with naming the drink "Dr. Pepper" (the period was dropped in the 1950s). Unfortunately, the origin for the name is unclear. The Museum has collected over a dozen different stories on how the drink became known as Dr Pepper.

Dr. Pepper gained such widespread consumer favor that other soda fountain operators in Waco began buying the syrup from Morrison and serving it. This soon presented a problem for Alderton and Morrison. They could no longer produce enough at their fountain to supply the demand.

Robert S. Lazenby, a young beverage chemist, had also tasted the new drink and was favorably impressed. Alderton, the originator, was primarily interested in pharmacy work and had no designs on the drink. He suggested that Morrison and Lazenby develop it further.

Morrison and Lazenby were impressed with the growth of Dr Pepper. In 1891, they formed a new firm, the Artesian Mfg. & Bottling Company, which later became Dr Pepper Company. Lazenby and his son-in-law, J.B. O'Hara moved the company from Waco to Dallas in 1923.

In 1904, Lazenby and O'Hara, introduced Dr Pepper to almost 20 million people attending the 1904 World's Fair Exposition in St. Louis. The exposition was the setting for more than one major product debut. Hamburgers and hot dogs were first served on buns at the exposition, and the ice cream cone was introduced.

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