The Man Behind The Bottle; The Origin and History of the Classic Contour Coca-Cola Bottle as Told by the Son of its Creator
By Norman L. Dean
Illustrated with B/W photos
162 pages
We are all familiar with the famous Coca-Cola Contour bottle. Even if we just see the shape of the bottle we know what it contains. But how many of us are familiar with the history behind the Contour Coca-Cola bottle? When was it designed? Why was it designed? Who designed it? Well, that last question of who designed it is something that hasn’t been easy to answer. Sometimes history gets lost or rewritten along the way.
Norman L. Dean is trying to clear all of that up for us in his new book, The Man Behind The Bottle. Mr. Dean is the son of Earl R. Dean, a machinist and bottle designer and mold maker for the ROOT Glass Company of Terre Haute, Indiana, the birthplace of the Coca-Cola bottle.
For many years a man by the name of Alexander Samuelson, Plant Superintendent for the ROOT Glass Company has been credited with designing the Coca-Cola bottle. How did this mix up come about? The official U.S. Patent listed Samuelson as the inventor. Also, an interview in the 1940’s led to some inaccurate information according to Norman Dean. Then things just snowballed from there. Many books and articles began to quote the 1940’s interview and listing Alexander Samuelson as the man who designed the world famous bottle.
In Mr. Dean’s book he presents his fathers recollections, analyzes the interview in question and presents detailed information about the subject. He hopes this book will set the things straight and show that his father was the true inventor of the Coca-Cola bottle.
So, did Earl R. Dean design the Coca-Cola bottle? Well, you will need to read the book yourself and see what conclusion you come to.
Available in Kindle Edition, Paperback or Hardback
http://www.amazon.com/Man-Behind-Bottle-Linda-Dean/dp/145005403X
For some great information on the book and to order directly from the publisher go to Norman Dean’s website.
Coca-Cola Bottle Man's Blog 
February 17, 2012 at 9:38 pm |
MY MOTHER IN LAW HAS A 32OX COCA COLA BOTTLE THAT SHE GOT FROM HER MOM. SHE SAYS THE BOTTLE IS OLDER THAN HER AND SHE WAS BORN IN 1943. IT STILL HAS THE SODA IN THE BOTTLE IS IT WORTH ANYTHING TO HER????
February 20, 2012 at 6:51 am |
Toni,
There were some 32 ounce size bottles made in the 1930’s. They are all embossed, no paint on them at all. If yours is from the 1930’s, they sell for around $100 to $200. If your bottle has the red and white paint on it, it is from the 1970’s and are worth around $10.
Hope this helps.
Doug