Flickr/Mike MozartCoca-Cola is the most successful soda company in the world.

The most iconic American soda company once pulled a stunt that infuriated masses and nearly drove its business to the ground.

Coca-Cola announced it was replacing its original formula with New Coke in April of 1985.

The drink could have saved the company millions by cutting back on some of its costlier ingredients, but it proved to be a complete failure. 

The switch from the original formula sparked outrage nationwide with many boycotting the beverage company. 

Acclaimed food critic Mimi Sheraton stated on New Coke: It is sweeter than the original formula and also has a body that could best be described as lighter. It tastes a little like classic Coca-Cola that has been diluted by melting ice.

AP Images/Marty LederhandlerDonald R. Keough, then Coca-Cola Co. President and COO, with New Coke in 1985.

It took the company 79 days to realize what a huge mistake it had made.

Less than three months later on July 11, 1985, Coca-Cola announced its decision to return to the original formula. 

The secret formula that molded the billion dollar company is currently held in a highly secure 10-foot-tall vault at the World of Coca-Cola in downtown Atlanta. 

AP Images/David GoldmanThe vault in The World of Coke in Atlanta.

The formula was moved to The World of Coke in 2011 in honor of The Coca-Cola Companys 125th anniversary.

It was previously held in Trust Company Bank, now SunTrust, in Atlanta for 86 years, according to The Coca-Cola Company.

The move of the Coca-Cola secret formula is a historic moment for the company, said Phil Mooney, director of archives of The Coca-Cola Company, when the company announced the move. The company has always gone to great lengths to protect it, and now by safeguarding it at the World of Coca-Cola, we can share its legendary legacy with people around the world.

The vault now functions as a very popular interactive tourist exhibit.

Visitors can participate in a number of activities to learn about the history of Cokes formula and even try a full-body interactive game to learn about where the formula has been kept throughout the years, according to The Coca-Cola Company. 

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