Behind every famous brand lies a story—sometimes a strange, unexpected, or downright bizarre one. From accidental discoveries to wild marketing stunts, the origins of some of the world’s most recognizable companies are anything but ordinary. Here are 10 bizarre origin stories of famous brands that will leave you amazed.
Table of Contents
- Nike: Named After a Greek Goddess (But Almost Called “Dimension Six”)
- Coca-Cola: Originally a Medicine Containing Cocaine
- Adidas and Puma: A Feud Between Brothers
- Lego: Started as Wooden Toys Before Plastic Bricks
- Starbucks: Inspired by a Whale-Hunting Ship
- Pepsi: Created by a Pharmacist to Cure Upset Stomachs
- Play-Doh: First Sold as Wallpaper Cleaner
- Wrigley’s Gum: A Freebie That Became a Billion-Dollar Business
- IBM: Began as a Meat Scale Company
- Harley-Davidson: Built Its First Motorcycle in a Shed
1. Nike: Named After a Greek Goddess (But Almost Called “Dimension Six”)
Before Nike became the global sportswear giant, its founders considered some truly bizarre names. Co-founder Phil Knight originally wanted to call the company “Dimension Six,” but his business partner Jeff Johnson had a better idea.
One night, Johnson dreamed of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and suggested the name. The iconic Swoosh logo was designed by a graphic design student for just $35—and the rest is history.
2. Coca-Cola: Originally a Medicine Containing Cocaine
Coca-Cola’s original formula was far from the fizzy drink we know today. In 1886, pharmacist John Pemberton created a cocaine-infused tonic meant to cure headaches, fatigue, and even morphine addiction.
The drink contained extracts of coca leaves (source of cocaine) and kola nuts (for caffeine)—hence the name “Coca-Cola.” By the early 1900s, cocaine was removed, but the brand’s legacy as a medicinal drink remains one of the weirdest origin stories in business.
3. Adidas and Puma: A Feud Between Brothers
The rivalry between Adidas and Puma didn’t start on the track—it began in a family feud. Brothers Adolf (“Adi”) and Rudolf Dassler started a shoe company together in Germany. But after WWII, their relationship soured, leading to a bitter split.
Adi founded Adidas (from “Adi Dassler”), while Rudolf created Puma. The rivalry was so intense that their hometown of Herzogenaurach became divided—locals were either “Adidas people” or “Puma people.”
4. Lego: Started as Wooden Toys Before Plastic Bricks
Before Lego became synonymous with plastic bricks, it was a small Danish company making wooden toys. Founder Ole Kirk Christiansen named the company “LEGO” from the Danish phrase “leg godt” (“play well”).
The switch to plastic happened in 1947, but the real breakthrough came in 1958 with the interlocking brick design. Ironically, Christiansen almost went bankrupt multiple times before Lego became a global phenomenon.
5. Starbucks: Inspired by a Whale-Hunting Ship
Starbucks’ founders wanted a name that evoked adventure—so they turned to literature. The name comes from “Starbuck,” the first mate in Moby-Dick. The original logo even featured a twin-tailed mermaid (a siren) inspired by maritime history.
Fun fact: The first Starbucks location (opened in 1971) didn’t sell coffee drinks—just whole roasted beans. Espresso drinks came later after one of the founders visited Italy.
6. Pepsi: Created by a Pharmacist to Cure Upset Stomachs
Like Coca-Cola, Pepsi started as a medicinal drink. In 1893, pharmacist Caleb Bradham invented “Brad’s Drink,” a mix of sugar, water, caramel, lemon oil, and kola nuts.
He claimed it helped with dyspepsia (indigestion), and in 1898, he renamed it Pepsi-Cola—from the word “pepsin,” an enzyme that aids digestion. The brand went bankrupt twice before becoming Coca-Cola’s biggest rival.
7. Play-Doh: First Sold as Wallpaper Cleaner
Before kids were molding Play-Doh into dinosaurs, it was used to clean soot off wallpaper. In the 1930s, Kutol Products sold the putty-like substance as a cleaning product.
When wallpaper cleaning fell out of fashion, Kutol was near collapse—until a teacher suggested using it for children’s crafts. In 1956, rebranded as Play-Doh, it became one of the most iconic toys in history.
8. Wrigley’s Gum: A Freebie That Became a Billion-Dollar Business
William Wrigley Jr. never intended to sell gum—he was a soap salesman. In the 1890s, he offered free chewing gum as a promotion for his soap.
Customers loved the gum more than the soap, so Wrigley pivoted. By 1915, he was giving away free gum with every car sold in the U.S., making Wrigley’s the top gum brand worldwide.
9. IBM: Began as a Meat Scale Company
Before IBM dominated computers, it was Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company (CTR), founded in 1911. CTR made everything from meat scales to time clocks and punch-card machines.
In 1924, the company rebranded as International Business Machines (IBM) and shifted to computing. Today, IBM is a tech giant—but its roots were in weighing meat.
10. Harley-Davidson: Built Its First Motorcycle in a Shed
In 1903, William Harley and Arthur Davidson built their first motorcycle in a small wooden shed in Milwaukee. The bike had a single-cylinder engine and barely reached 25 mph.
Their first prototype failed, but by 1905, they had a working model. By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world—all thanks to a humble backyard project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Coca-Cola really contain cocaine?
Yes! The original formula (1886–1903) had trace amounts of cocaine from coca leaves. It was removed by the early 1900s.
2. Why did the Dassler brothers split?
The exact reason is unclear, but personal and political tensions during WWII led to their bitter rivalry.
3. How did Play-Doh go from cleaner to toy?
A teacher suggested using the non-toxic putty for kids’ crafts, leading to its rebranding in 1956.
4. What was IBM’s original business?
IBM’s predecessor, CTR, sold meat scales, time clocks, and punch-card machines before moving into computers.
5. Why is Starbucks named after a whale-hunting ship?
The founders wanted a name tied to adventure and literature, choosing “Starbuck” from Moby-Dick.
From medicinal tonics to backyard motorcycle experiments, these brands prove that success often comes from the most unexpected places. Which origin story surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!
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