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C. J. Rapp

{{short description|American beverage inventor}}

C.J. Rapp is an American beverage inventor best known for inventing and marketing high-caffeine Jolt Cola.{{cite book | title = A Daily Dose of the American Dream: Stories of Success, Triumph, and Inspiration | author= Alan Elliott |publisher = Thomas Nelson Inc. |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OcHMpcliF90C&q=%22C.+J.+Rapp%22&pg=RA3-PA9 | date = 1998 | page = 9| isbn = 9781418571474 | access-date = 22 January 2016}}*{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/jolt-cola-maker-files-bankruptcy-protection-332741 |work=International Business Times |title=Jolt Cola maker files for bankruptcy protection |date=January 29, 2009 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129094818/http://www.ibtimes.com/jolt-cola-maker-files-bankruptcy-protection-332741 |archive-date=January 29, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

In 1985, C. J. Rapp developed Jolt Cola, which contains 72 milligrams of caffeine,{{Clarify|post-text=(per which quantity)|date=March 2009}} which is the maximum amount permitted by the US Food and Drug Administration. He attended McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, New York. As a sociology major at SUNY Potsdam, Rapp noticed that students concocted beverages to help them stay awake to finish term papers, complete research projects, pledge in Greek life or study for exams.

At a time when beverage producers were promoting the idea that less is better – that they contained either zero or less caffeine, sugar, or calories – Rapp promoted his cola by emphasizing that it had twice the caffeine found in other colas. In the mid-1980s, the slogan on every bottle and can of Jolt read "Twice the Caffeine."

The approach worked and gave the new product high visibility. Jolt soon appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Good Morning America and CNN. The maverick cola quickly found its niche market.

Rapp slowly began expanding his product line, which now includes Blu Botl, DNA, Martinelli's, Pirate's Keg, First Tee, and XTC. His company, Wet Planet Beverages, markets ten beverage brands in 22 countries. The company tends to use creative packaging.

See also

References

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Other sources

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20160802064953/http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-001783.php Beer You Can Bet On]
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.bevnet.com/magazine/issue/2015/still-infused-with-faith |publisher=BevNet |title=Still Infused with Faith |first=Jeffrey |last=Klineman |date=March 16, 2015 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220184629/http://www.bevnet.com/magazine/issue/2015/still-infused-with-faith |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |url-status=dead }}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=181902 |publisher=Rochester Business Journal |title=Jolt founder sues private-equity firm for $31 million |first=Will |last=Astor |date=November 10, 2009 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201026/http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=181902 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=181902 |publisher=Brighton-Pittsford Post |title=Pittsford-based Karma Culture launches national distribution |first=Natascha |last=Yogachandra |date=August 27, 2009 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6eSGaS54a?url=http://www.brightonpittsfordpost.com/x2118935908/Pittsford-based-Karma-Culture-launches-national-distribution |archive-date=January 11, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=188677 |publisher=Rochester Business Journal |title=Jolt Cola founder launches new line of nutrient-enhanced drinks |first=Mary |last=Stone |date=September 8, 2011 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160812042624/http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=188677 |archive-date=August 12, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
  • {{cite web|url=http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/restaurants/orange-julius-it-lives-dairy-queen-is-reviving-the-brand-and-three-other-drinks-that-should-have-survived-the-80s-6398721 |publisher=Broward Palm Beach New Times |title=Orange Julius: It Lives! (Dairy Queen is Reviving the Brand) and Three Other Drinks That Should Have Survived the '80s |first=Nicole |last=Danna |date=August 17, 2012 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305073755/http://www.browardpalmbeach.com/restaurants/orange-julius-it-lives-dairy-queen-is-reviving-the-brand-and-three-other-drinks-that-should-have-survived-the-80s-6398721 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=dead }}
  • {{cite web|url=http://adage.com/article/news/jolt-wakes-keyed-category/116097/ |publisher=Ad Age |title=Jolt Wakes Up to Keyed-Up Category |first=Brook |last=Capps |date=April 16, 2007 |access-date=January 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922021945/http://adage.com/article/news/jolt-wakes-keyed-category/116097/ |archive-date=September 22, 2015 |url-status=dead }}

{{more footnotes|date=April 2014}}

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Category:20th-century American inventors

Category:Cola

Category:State University of New York at Potsdam alumni

Category:Businesspeople from Rochester, New York

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:Living people