Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines throughout the world. Originally intended as a patent medicine when it was invented in the late 19th century by John Pemberton, Coca-Cola was bought out by businessman Asa Griggs Candler, whose marketing tactics led Coke to its dominance of the world soft-drink market throughout the 20th century. The bottlers then sell, distribute and merchandise Coca-Cola to retail stores and vending machines.