Drink A Bite To Eat

 

On this day, the first Dr. Pepper was served in Waco, Texas in 1885.  Like many soft drinks of that era, it started in a pharmacy, and a kindly old country doctor, wearing a monocle and top hat became the first visual image for the product.  Personally, I think he's more of an evil cross between the Monopoly guy and Mr. Peanut.  While it is reputed that the signature ingredient is prune juice, you might think the 10, 2 and 4 slogan refers to "regularity." 

 

The 10, 2 and 4 slogan actually began sometime during the 1920's when it was believed that consuming sugar gave you energy (in a positive way.) The official slogan was "Drink a bite to eat at 10, 2, and 4" to reinforce the peppy belief of the beverage. Coca Cola had cocaine. Seven-Up had lithium, but Dr. Pepper only had sugar...and maybe some prunes.

 

A copyright drawing for an early bottle design.  Invariably, because of the "10, 2 and 4" you would often see clocks in Dr. Pepper commercials, or even clocks made using the Dr. Pepper logo.

 

Further proof the the subtle genius of Lux Interior of The Cramps, where he wrote a song called "Bop Pills" in which he describes the doctor prescribing "take three Bop Pills at 10, 2 and 4."  It's just past four, so here's to you....

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USlecCXhjek

 

 



"Drink A Bite To Eat"