On May 8, 1886, American John S. Pemberton created a new beverage to serve in his pharmacy and sold nine drinks a day for the first year.

Today, the Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage maker, serving consumers in more than 200 countries and selling about $1.7 billion worth of drinks a day.

A series of artworks inspired by Coca-Cola were recently displayed in China to celebrate the brand's 125th anniversary.

The Coca-Cola Culture Exhibition was staged at the Shanghai Super Brand Mall. It showcased nearly 100 artworks, memorabilia and innovations created over the last 125 years.

"I feel very privileged to share this rich legacy with China," Heritage Communications Inc vice-president Phil Mooney said at the opening.

"This collection reflects the brand's history as an iconic brand that has inspired many great artists."

Mooney has directed Coca-Cola's archives department since 1977.

The most impressive piece is the lithograph Green Coca-Cola Bottles Andy Warhol painted and signed in 1962. Warhol depicted numerous green Coke bottles, an icon of the mass-produced consumer culture of the time.

A black-and-white Coke bottle on canvas by Andy Warhol sold for $35.4 million at Sotheby's contemporary and post-war art auction last November.

Another design features four limited-edition Coke bottles from fashion luminary Karl Lagerfeld. A simple black graphic of Lagerfeld's famous silhouette on the bottle makes the design recognizable.

And a souvenir bottle specially designed for Princess Diana's 1981 wedding was exhibited for the first time.

The exhibition also included items that commemorate historical milestones, such as the world's first coupon for free drinks, which was printed in 1887. There was also the first Coke can to enter outer space with the astronauts of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1985, and the first soft-drink fountain equipment used in space in 1995.

And 125 showpieces and memorabilia contributed by Coca-Cola fans across China were also displayed.

The company is also hosting an online competition. Three winners will win a visit to World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia, the beverage giant's birthplace and headquarters.

More than 10,000 Coca-Cola adorers had signed up in the first eight days after the contest began on April 30. The winners will be announced on June 18.

China Daily