Introduction to Fanta
Fanta originated during the Second World War as a result of Coca-Cola’s presence in Germany, led by Max Keith, who built the company’s infrastructure and successfully marketed the brand. This inadvertently paved the way for the creation of Fanta, which would later become one of the company’s best-selling beverages.
Coca-Cola’s Rise in Germany
Coca-Cola became one of the first products people bought when Germany started recovering from the Great Depression in the early 1930s, aided by new technologies like refrigerators. The company’s advertising carefully hid its American ownership, and its success in Germany led to increased independence for its local manager, who began producing most of the drink’s secret ingredients locally. By 1935, Germany had become Coca-Cola’s biggest market outside of America.
Challenges and Adaptation
However, under Hitler’s four-year plan for rearmament and self-sufficiency, Coca-Cola shipments from America decreased, prompting expansion in Germany. By 1938, nine factories were under construction, and a subsidiary was established in Austria after the Nazi invasion. But with the start of World War II in 1939, Coca-Cola shipments from America were severely limited and eventually stopped, putting the director, Max Keith, at risk of imprisonment and nationalization of his business.
The Creation of Fanta
Due to a shortage of Coca-Cola ingredients during World War II, Max Keith‘s chemists created a new recipe using scarce ingredients, dubbed “leftovers.” A drink made from apple fiber leftovers and other ingredients was created, and it eventually became known as Fanta. By 1943, sales of Fanta had reached 3 million cases per year.
Post-War Developments
After the war, Max Keith was hailed as a hero and made president of Coca-Cola Europe. He later released Fanta worldwide in 1955, which became one of the company’s best-selling beverages. The success of Fanta is a testament to Max Keith‘s ingenuity and leadership during a time of great challenge and uncertainty.
Additional Resources
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Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Fanta | A brand of fruit-flavored soft drink created by Max Keith during World War II. | Fanta became one of the company’s best-selling beverages after its release worldwide in 1955. |
| Max Keith | The director of Coca-Cola in Germany who created Fanta during World War II. | Max Keith was hailed as a hero after the war and made president of Coca-Cola Europe. |
| Coca-Cola | A multinational beverage corporation that owned the rights to the Coca-Cola drink. | Coca-Cola became one of the first products people bought when Germany started recovering from the Great Depression. |
| Apple Fiber Leftovers | The primary ingredient used to create Fanta during World War II. | A drink made from apple fiber leftovers and other ingredients was created, and it eventually became known as Fanta. |
| Great Depression | A global economic downturn that lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s. | Germany started recovering from the Great Depression in the early 1930s, aided by new technologies like refrigerators. |
| Four-Year Plan | A plan implemented by Hitler for rearmament and self-sufficiency in Germany. | The four-year plan led to a decrease in Coca-Cola shipments from America, prompting expansion in Germany. |
| Curiosity Stream | A streaming service that offers educational and informative content. | Viewers can take advantage of a 30-day free trial of Curiosity Stream with a registration link and code “business-casual”. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. Which event led to the creation of Fanta during World War II?
A) The rise of Coca-Cola in Germany
B) The start of the Great Depression
C) The shortage of Coca-Cola ingredients
D) The end of the war
2. Who played a crucial role in the creation and success of Fanta?
A) Adolf Hitler
B) The local manager of Coca-Cola in Germany
C) Max Keith
D) The chemists of Coca-Cola
3. What was used to create the first Fanta recipe?
A) Apple juice and sugar
B) Orange fiber and water
C) Apple fiber leftovers and other ingredients
D) Grape juice and yeast
4. In what year was Fanta released worldwide by Max Keith?
A) 1943
B) 1950
C) 1955
D) 1960
5. What was the result of Fanta’s sales by 1943?
A) 1 million cases per year
B) 2 million cases per year
C) 3 million cases per year
D) 4 million cases per year
Answer Key:
1. C
2. C
3. C
4. C
5. C
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Use of the Past Perfect Tense
Grammar Quiz:
Choose the correct answer for each question:
- By the time Max Keith was hailed as a hero, he ____________________ as the president of Coca-Cola Europe.
A) was made
B) had been made
C) is made
D) makes - Coca-Cola ____________________ one of the first products people bought when Germany started recovering from the Great Depression.
A) was
B) had been
C) is
D) became - By 1943, sales of Fanta ____________________ 3 million cases per year.
A) reach
B) had reached
C) have reached
D) reaches - Before the start of World War II, Coca-Cola shipments from America ____________________ severely limited.
A) were
B) had been
C) are
D) have been - Max Keith’s chemists ____________________ a new recipe using scarce ingredients during World War II.
A) create
B) had created
C) have created
D) creates
Answer Key:
1. B) had been made
2. D) became
3. B) had reached
4. A) were
5. B) had created
