Hatfields & McCoys: Five Classic Feuds

Coke vs. Pepsi

By DAVID WEINER

In their never-ending quest for world domination, the two biggest soft drink companies in the world have been at war for over 100 years. Have you taken the Pepsi Challenge? Did you know Coke Is It? With fierce advertising campaigns aimed directly at each other, the carbonated conflict in the Cola Wars has bubbled over often, with a near-catastrophe erupting in the mid-'80s when Coke introduced New Coke to compete with the sweeter Pepsi, only to see loyal consumers turn their backs in droves on the brand in protest. Coke responded to the PR disaster by unveiling Coca-Cola Classic, and eventually retired New Coke to the history books.