An exact number of people who drank the original, cocaine-infused formula of Coca-Cola is unknown, as detailed consumption and demographic records from that era do not exist. However, historical data regarding the company's early sales and distribution shows that millions of people likely consumed it between its invention in 1886 and the removal of the drug. [1, 2, 3, 4]Sales Volume and GrowthWhile we cannot count individual consumers, the exploding popularity of the beverage provides a clear picture of its massive reach:1886: In its first year, inventor John Stith Pemberton sold an average of just nine servings per day.1890s: After Asa Candler bought the formula, aggressive marketing turned it into a national phenomenon.1900: By the turn of the century, Coca-Cola was selling hundreds of thousands of gallons of syrup annually across the United States, translating to millions of individual glasses served at soda fountains and bottled for consumers. [1, 2, 3]Timeline of Cocaine RemovalThe transition away from cocaine was gradual rather than an overnight change: [1, 2]1903: Due to rising public concern and racial tensions in the American South, Coca-Cola officially switched from fresh coca leaves to "spent" (decocainized) leaves. This effectively eliminated the vast majority of the drug. Beloud