Introduction to the history of Germany
On HL Comedy Tours and our Augmented Reality Historical Tours HistoryWe love finding true stories so absurd they seem made up. Today we're going to tell you about one of our favorites: Fanta. That orange soda you usually drink with pizza or patatas bravas has an origin that seems straight out of a Monty Python sketch. Get ready for a fizzy trip back in time.
The most unusual origin of a famous soft drink
In the midst of World War II, when Hitler declared war on the United States in 1941, many American companies were forced to cut trade ties with Germany. Among them was Coca-Cola. The Atlanta-based plant decided to cut off supplies of its secret concentrate to German plants, leaving the country without its most popular beverage.
Coca-Cola's German manager, Max Keith, didn't want to close the factories. In a show of entrepreneurial creativity, he decided to create a substitute using what little was left: whey, apple pulp leftover from the cider industry, sugar beets, and some caffeine. Thus was born Fanta, a thick, tangy concoction that, miraculously, was drinkable.
And, even more miraculously, it was a success.
"Fantasie": the name that said it all
For this new experiment, Keith held a brainstorming session with his employees, asking them to think "fantastically." One of them replied, "Fanta!" Just like that, one of the world's most recognized brands was born. In a context of war, rationing, and propaganda, the soft drink became a shining example of business ingenuity... or how to sell something horrible with good marketing.
Coca-Cola and the Third Reich
One of the most surprising facts about our historical comedy tours is that Coca-Cola not only survived in Nazi Germany, but thrived. The brand had deeply ingrained itself in the popular culture of the Third Reich, becoming the favorite drink of many Germans. When supplies were cut off, they had to improvise. Fanta was the perfect "Ersatz," that is, an improvised substitute, as many war products were.
Postwar: The return of Coca-Cola and the adoption of Fanta
After the end of the conflict, Max Keith transferred the recipe and rights to Fanta to the American headquarters, which surprisingly adopted it immediately. In the 1950s, Coca-Cola reinvented Fanta (as we know it today) with orange flavor and began distributing it globally. No one would remember the original ingredients or its connection to Nazi Germany.
History had been rewritten with bubbles and vivid colors.
Why we love this story History and HL Comedy Tours
We don't do boring tours. In HistoryWe combine history, humor, and technology. We use augmented reality to transport you back in time, but most importantly, we tell the story as if it were being told by a good, lively friend.
Stories like Fanta's have it all: historical context, bureaucratic absurdity, unintentional humor, and unexpected consequences. It's the kind of storytelling that makes our tours unforgettable.
What we learn from Fanta
- Necessity is the mother of wits: In a world closed off by war, many innovations emerged. Fanta is a perfect example of creativity under pressure.
- Marketing can do everything: Although the original drink wasn't exactly tasty, the catchy name and lack of options made it a hit.
- History always has a downside: What seems banal today, like a can of soda, may have a dark, curious or even comical origin.
From Fanta to the Sagrada Familia: unexpected connections
What does this story have to do with Barcelona? Much more than you think. In our Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour We explain that Gaudí's temple is also an "Ersatz." Its construction was a patchwork of styles, architects, and improvised ideas. There are lost plans, sculptures that look like they came straight out of a video game, and a construction schedule that seems endless.
Like Fanta, the Sagrada Familia is an example of how something born from chaos can end up becoming a cultural icon.
Tours with History and Laughter
In our Comedy Tours in Barcelona, Girona and London, we tell stories like this, that make you laugh, but also think. Whether with HL Comedy Tours or HistoryOur mission is to help you learn history without even realizing it, as if you were chatting in a bar with a comedian who knows much more than he seems to.
We use augmented reality, customized routes, and, above all, original, recorded scripts to make each tour a unique experience. We're moving away from generic tours: here we have rigor, humor, and a wealth of storytelling.
Discover History and HL Comedy Tours in person!
If you found this story fascinating, imagine what awaits you on our tours. Whether it's a private tour, a school activity, or a unique business experience, we have options for everyone:
- Private Tour with Augmented Reality
- Histary Audiotour in Barcelona
- Tours for Schools
- Comedy Tours in the Sagrada Familia, the Gothic Quarter, or London
Visit History either HL Comedy Tours and reserve your experience.
In summary
Fanta isn't just a drink. It's a story of war, necessity, creativity, and a whole lot of fantasy. At HL Comedy Tours and HistoryWe believe that history is full of moments like this: surprising, crazy, and deeply human.
Come experience them with us, with laughter, rigor, and a good dose of augmented reality!
