Flickr\/Mike MozartCoca-Cola is the most successful soda company in the world. <\/p>\n
The most iconic American soda company once pulled a stunt that infuriated masses and nearly drove its business to the ground.<\/p>\n
Coca-Cola announced it was replacing its original formula with New Coke\u00a0in\u00a0April of 1985.<\/p>\n
The drink could have saved the company\u00a0millions\u00a0by cutting back on some of its costlier ingredients, but it proved to be a complete failure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The switch from the original formula sparked outrage nationwide with many boycotting the beverage company.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Acclaimed food critic Mimi Sheraton\u00a0stated 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.<\/p>\n
AP Images\/Marty LederhandlerDonald R. Keough, then Coca-Cola Co. President and COO, with New Coke in 1985.<\/p>\n
It took the company\u00a079 days to realize what a huge mistake it had made.<\/p>\n
Less than three months later on July 11, 1985, Coca-Cola announced its decision to return to the original formula.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
AP Images\/David GoldmanThe vault in The World of Coke in Atlanta. <\/p>\n
The formula was moved to The World of Coke in 2011 in honor of The Coca-Cola Companys 125th anniversary.<\/p>\n
It was previously held in\u00a0Trust Company Bank, now SunTrust, in Atlanta for 86 years, according to The Coca-Cola Company.<\/p>\n
The move of the\u00a0Coca-Cola\u00a0secret formula is a historic moment for the company, said Phil Mooney, director of archives of\u00a0The\u00a0Coca-Cola\u00a0Company, 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\u00a0Coca-Cola, we can share its legendary legacy with people around the world.<\/p>\n
The vault now functions as a very popular interactive tourist exhibit.<\/p>\n
Visitors can participate in a number of activities to learn about the history of Cokes formula and even try a\u00a0full-body interactive game to learn about where the formula has been kept throughout the years, according to The Coca-Cola Company.\u00a0<\/p>\n