Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Carbonated Beverages by Sammy Bozza

I. Introduction
You add a little CO2 to some H20. One thing leads to another, and one of the most successful industries is born. “A soft drink (also referred to as soda, soda pop, pop, cold drink, carbonated beverage, tonic, coke, fizzy drink or mineral) is a non-alcoholic beverage typically containing water (often carbonated water) and a flavoring agent. Many of these beverages are sweetened by the addition of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, or in the case of "diet" drinks, with a sugar substitute.” Some examples of a soft drink are coca-cola, sprite, and dr. pepper.
Figure 1.

II. Discovery
The history of soft drinks goes back to the mineral water found in natural springs. Bathing in natural springs has long been considered healthy, and was said to have “curative powers.” Scientists soon discovered carbon dioxide was the cause of the bubbles in natural mineral water. In 1767, Joseph Priestley invented the first drinkable manmade glass of carbonated water. However, carbonated beverages did not become popular until John Mathews invented his apparatus to make the carbonated water. John Mathews then mass-manufactured his apparatus and sold tem to soda fountain owners. Coca Cola came on the market in 1886 as a syrup mixed with carbonated water. “The invention of the cork in 1892 by William Painter, and the invention of glass-blown bottles by Michael J. Owens in 1899, led to mass-produced carbonated drinks that did not lose their carbonation.” In 1938, Cliquot Club ginger ale was the first drink to be carbonated in a can. Pepsi followed soon after with canned soda in 1948, and Dr. Pepper soon came after in 1955. Carbonated drinks were soon one top choices in beverages. In the 1950s, carbonated drinks were marketed for their abilities to aid in digestion, however it soon became equivalent to junk food. In 1972, Pepsi was the first company to use multi-packs of cans.


 III. Inventor
Joseph Priestley is said to be the father of the soda industry. Priestley was the first scientist to prove that oxygen was an important part to combustion. “Joseph Priestley also discovered hydrochloric acid, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide.” In 1767 he invented the first drinkable glass of carbonated water. He explained how to make soda water by publishing a paper titled “Directions for Impregnating Water with Fixed Air (1772).” However he wrote so he did not risk any business exploitations. Joseph Priestley was also the founder of the eraser. On April 15, 1770, Joseph Priestley discovered that the Indians’ gum had the ability to rub out or erase lead pencil marks.

Figure 2.
IV. Impact on Humanity Today
Carbonated beverages today are seen everywhere you look. There are many different companies that make carbonated beverages. Some examples are Coke, Pepsi, Sprite, Dr.Pepper and Mug (root beer). Originally carbonated beverages were supposed to cure people from sickness; now it is killing people. Carbonated drinks contain many different ingredients that are dangerous to the body. Sodas have a very high amount of sodium, caffeine, and additives with absolutely no nutritional value. Carbonated beverages are also linked to health problems such as obesity, heart disease, tooth decay, and much more. Now that there is no going back, we need to be careful about the consumption of carbonated beverages. Every once in a while wont kill you… maybe just a little bitJ .
Figure 3.

V. Journal Article.This Article talks about the history of carbonated beverages and touches briefly on the inventor Joseph Priestley. It also has a section about how carbonated beverages affect us in a negative way. This site showed the same information as other sites that I visited, so I believe it is a trustworthy site.

VI. List of References
1. Whardon, Ella “The History of Carbonation” Retrieved February 16, 2011. <http://www.ehow.com/about_6311975_history-carbonation.html>
2. Rada, Jim “From Mineral Water to Coca-Cola. The History of Soda Pop and Carbonated Beverages” Retrieved February 16, 2011. <http://www.suite101.com/content/from-mineral-water-to-cocacola-a87250>
3. Bellis, Mary “Joseph Priestley” Retrieved February 16, 2011. <http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventors/a/JosephPriestley.htm>
4. Bellis, Mary “Introduction to Pop. The History of Soft Drinks” February 16, 2011. http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/soft_drinks.htm

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