PiBB was born in the summer of 1972 as a direct response to the growing popularity of Dr Pepper in Southern markets. The Coca-Cola Company, wanting to create a drink that could rival the success of Dr Pepper, initially named their new beverage “Peppo.” However, this name choice led to a legal battle with Dr Pepper manufacturers, who argued that it was too similar to their own brand.
After losing the lawsuit, Coca-Cola was forced to reconsider the name of their new drink. They eventually settled on the name “Mr. PiBB” as a way to differentiate it from Dr Pepper while still maintaining a similar sound and appeal. This decision marked the beginning of Mr. PiBB's journey as a contender in the soft drink market.
It is important to note that Dr Pepper was introduced much earlier than Mr. PiBB. Dr Pepper was created in the 1880s by pharmacist Charles Alderton, making it one of the oldest soft drinks in the United States. On the other hand, Mr. PiBB was created almost a century later in the 1970s.
While Mr. PiBB was undoubtedly developed as a direct competitor to Dr Pepper, it is difficult to definitively say whether it was created before or after Dr Pepper. In terms of the drink's conception, Mr. PiBB came into existence after Dr Pepper had already established itself as a popular and well-known brand. However, in terms of the legal battles surrounding the name, Mr. PiBB was born out of the necessity to differentiate itself from Dr Pepper.
In my personal experience, I have seen both Dr Pepper and Mr. PiBB coexist in the market. While Dr Pepper has a longer history and wider recognition, Mr. PiBB has managed to carve out its own niche and attract a loyal following. Both drinks have their own unique flavors and characteristics, appealing to different taste preferences.
To summarize, Mr. PiBB was created as a response to the success of Dr Pepper in Southern markets. Although it is difficult to determine whether it was created before or after Dr Pepper, Mr. PiBB's name change from “Peppo” due to a legal dispute with Dr Pepper manufacturers indicates that it entered the market after Dr Pepper had already established itself. However, both drinks continue to coexist and cater to different consumer preferences.