Dr Pepper was invented in 1885 by Charles Alderton, a pharmacist in Waco, Texas. The drink originated at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store, where Alderton experimented with mixing fruit syrups to create a unique flavor. The name "Dr Pepper" was given by the store owner, Wade Morrison. Although the drink was created in 1885, it was first nationally marketed in the United States in 1904 at the St. Louis World's Fair. Dr Pepper is the oldest major soft drink brand in the U.S., even older than Coca-Cola.
