May 08

The Hilderston silver mine near West Lothian was seized by King James VI as royal property before its 1608 reopening. On May 8, engineer and entrepreneur Bevis Bulmer took charge of operations under a Crown lease. He introduced new mining techniques and attracted skilled workers from England and Europe. Early yields suggested significant silver deposits, sparking economic optimism. However, challenges with ore quality and costs limited profitability. Bulmer’s enterprise reflects early modern England’s efforts to exploit mineral resources and expand state revenues.

On May 8, 1886, Atlanta pharmacist Dr. John Stith Pemberton introduced a new soda fountain beverage he called Coca-Cola, marketed as a tonic for ailments like headaches and fatigue. Pemberton’s formula combined coca leaf extract with kola nut and sweetened syrup, dispensed at five cents a glass. Although initial sales were modest, his bookkeeper Frank M. Robinson suggested the distinctive name and script logo that became iconic. In the following years, the beverage transitioned from medicinal claims to a refreshing soft drink as ownership changed hands. Asa Candler’s aggressive marketing in the 1890s transformed Coca-Cola into a national brand. This humble beginning set the stage for what would become one of the world's most recognizable products.