“The formula for 7up was developed as a unique blend of flavours that would appeal to a broad audience. We wanted to create something refreshingly different from the colas that dominated the market.” - Charles Leiper Grigg
Charles Leiper Grigg the inventor of 7up was an albino, or so the story goes. There aren’t any colour photos of Charles, only black and white and the story of how 7up came to be, is funny in itself because, no one can seem to agree on how it became known as 7up. Initially, Grigg called it ‘Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda’ this didn’t exactly roll off the tongue so he went back to the drawing board. Some argue the brand got its distinctive name because "Seven Up" has seven letters. Others that the beverage was originally sold in 7-ounce bottles. Another theory is that Grigg saw cattle branded with a mark that resembled "7up." Reasoning that if the brand was distinctive enough to help a rancher identify his cattle, the soft drink inventor concluded it would similarly work to help consumers remember his new lemon and lime drink. However, the most likely reason is because 7up was the product of seven ingredients in the original formulation: sugar, carbonated water, essences of lemon and lime oils, citric acid, sodium citrate, and lithium citrate. Once the company was rebranded, it need a new logo and this is where reality and urban legend intertwine.
The narrative of Grigg being an albino despite lacking substantial evidence, has woven itself into the fabric of the 7up brand’s history. To understand how this story began and why doubts about its veracity persist, we must delve into both Grigg's background and the evolution of this peculiar story. Charles Grigg was born in 1868 in rural Missouri. His early life was spent, growing up in a farming family where hard work was a way of life. However, Grigg exhibited a keen interest in science and entrepreneurship from a young age. His innate curiosity and ambition led him away from farming and into the bustling world of business. Grigg moved to St. Louis in the early 1900s, seeking greater opportunities. His tried our many different jobs in St. Louis to try and get ahead, these included various jobs in advertising and sales, where he gained valuable experience that would later prove instrumental in his success. It was during this period that Grigg began experimenting with soft drink formulas, driven by a passion for creating a unique and refreshing beverage.
The myth that Charles Leiper Grigg was an albino appears to have no firm grounding in verified historical facts. Despite his significant achievements, detailed personal information about him remains scarce, and there are no known photographs or credible records indicating he had albinism. The story likely began as many urban legends do: through a combination of speculation, misinterpretation, and the natural human tendency to embellish. It’s possible that early descriptions of Grigg’s appearance were misinterpreted or exaggerated over time, especially given the period's lack of photographic documentation and reliance on anecdotal accounts, maybe he was mistakenly identified at some point or it could indeed be true.
However, several factors contribute to the doubts surrounding this myth. Firstly, there is an absence of concrete evidence. No known photographs of Grigg depict him as an albino, although all the pictures of Charles are in black and white, these pictures cannot categorically confirm or deny his albinism, leaving room for the story to gather momentum. It should be noted, however, that historical records from his time do not mention any such condition. The focus of available documentation is predominantly on his professional endeavours rather than personal characteristics, leaving room for myths to fill in the gaps. Secondly, the dissemination of the albino narrative seems to have gained traction more from repetition than from fact. In the digital age, misinformation can spread rapidly, often with little scrutiny. A single erroneous statement, if repeated enough times, can start to seem like truth. This phenomenon likely played a role in cementing the albino myth around Grigg.
Before he became a notable figure in the beverage industry, Charles Leiper Grigg worked in advertising and sales. His early career was marked by a series of efforts in the soft drink market, where he experimented with various formulas and flavours. By 1919, Charles Leiper Grigg was working as a salesman for a manufacturing company owned by Vess Jones. It was there that Grigg invented and marketed his first soft drink called "Whistle". The success of the drink led to his promotion to the position of sales and marketing manager, however, eventually he and Vess came to loggerheads and Grigg left the company, leaving Whistle behind. He eventually settled at the Warner Jenkinson Company developing flavouring agents for soft drinks. It was at this time that Grigg invented his second soft drink, an orange-flavoured beverage with 14% sugar named "Howdy". It did well, but Charles knew if he wanted to dominate an already saturated market, he needed to diversify. He partnered with financier Edmund G. Ridgway and lawyer Frank Gladney and formed the Howdy Company.
In 1920, he moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and began working on a lemon and lime soda, which he eventually introduced as "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda" in 1929. The drink was later rebranded as 7up, a name that has endured for nearly a century. Grigg’s invention was notable for its unique flavour and the inclusion of lithium citrate, a mood-stabilising drug, which was a common ingredient in beverages at the time. The drink quickly gained popularity, and Grigg’s company, ‘The Howdy Corporation’, began to thrive. One intriguing aspect of the 7up brand is the red dot in its logo, which has sparked considerable speculation. The story of Griggs albinism spread wildly after his death and it is said that the new owner’s of 7up put the red dot in its logo as a tribute to Charles and the red tint his eyes had because of the condition symbolizing his distinctiveness and the unique identity of the beverage he created. While this makes for an interesting narrative, it remains speculative.
The red dot’s true origin is more likely tied to branding strategies aimed at making the 7up logo stand out on store shelves. In the competitive soft drink market, distinctive and eye-catching logos are crucial for consumer recognition. The introduction of the red dot was probably a clever marketing decision rather than a tribute to any personal characteristic of Grigg. As with many urban legends, the story of Charles Leiper Grigg being an albino grew over time, possibly because it added a layer of intrigue to his persona and the 7up brand. People are naturally drawn to stories that humanise or mystify notable figures, and the albino narrative provided a distinctive, memorable detail that set Grigg apart. Urban legends often thrive on the lack of corroborating evidence, and in Grigg’s case, the scarcity of detailed biographical information allowed for perfect conditions to allow the story to grow. Over time, the repeated retelling of this story, particularly in an era where fact-checking was less rigorous, helped cement it in popular culture.
The tale of Charles Leiper Grigg being an albino is a fascinating example of how rumours can develop and persist in the absence of concrete evidence. While the story adds an element of intrigue to the history of 7up, it cannot be corroborated. The lack of photographic evidence, the focus on his professional life, and the origins of the red dot in the 7up logo all point to a narrative built more on speculation than fact. Grigg's true legacy lies in his innovation and the creation of a beverage that has stood the test of time. As we enjoy a refreshing 7up, we can appreciate the real story of its inventor a man whose determination and creativity left an indelible mark on the soft drink industry. However, we all love a good story, so you decide which story you prefer.
