Moxie

=MOXIE=

On November 25, 1835, Austin Thompson was born in Union, Maine. RIght now the thing that stands out most about Union is the giant Moxie bottle. Why did it get there?



When the Civil War broke out, he joined the Union Army as a private. By the end of the war, he was a Lieutenant Colonel-In only four years. After the war, he decided to go into the medical business, and his first drug was called "Moxie". This medicine was so strong, it had to be prescribed only one spoonful at a time. At this time, the soda industry was growing, and he carbonated the medicine. this was one ofthe first mass produced drinks in the US. In the 1920's and 1930's, Moxie was the most popular drink in the United States, with Coca-Cola, (Moxie's second place competitor) far behind. Moxie was bitter, and not actually supposed to be tasty, but something you get used to. However there was something in it that kept making people go back for more. People would often describe it as tasting like "Castor Oil, horseradish, and bitter herb tea.". However some may disagree on the previous comparison, everyone agrees the taste is unforgettable. They were pretty good at advertising, as they drove cars (some of the first cars around) that said "Drink Moxie" on them. Even Ted Williams supported drinking Moxie. The advertisers said taste was so strong, it could the cure for New England alcoholism, as the taste was an acceptable substitute. Eventually, the word "Moxie" was added to the dictionary: "The ability to face challenges with courage" "Aggressive energy and initiative". Originally, when Moxie was just starting out, on the label it said what Moxie was originally for curing. It was said to cure the following Disorders/ Diseases/ Disabilities: "Can recover brain and nervous exhaustion; loss of manhood, imbelity, and helplessness." "Recovered paralysis, softening of the brain, [|locomoter ataxia] and insanity..." "Gives you durable solid strength, make you eat voraciously..." "Takes away tired, sleepy listless feeling __like magic__". The soda was dangerously carbonated, but now they reduced the carbonation. The Maine ingredient was outlawed in the 60's, also they took out cocaine from Moxie. Could it be that the Maine ingredient was Cocaine and thats why people kept coming back for more even though it tasted pretty nasty. They noticed people stopped drinking Moxie, so they attempted making it sweeter, only to loose 50% of their followers, and now most people don't like it. However people all over the world seek it out for it;s unique taste. Moxie is shipped to places like Taiwan and Moscow. Drinking is really a learning experience, you have to get used to drinking the bitter stuff. When the company split, there was also another failure The branch covering the South failed, and now there were only few places that made Moxie. Now Moxie is Generally reserved to New England. They sued Modox for their close resembling version of Moxie. Coca-Cola then bought out moxie, officially adding to the Coca-Cola Franchise. Now, every year, in Lisbon Falls, there is a Moxie day, where people come from all over the continent to go to this parade style collection of Moxie lovers. The main place to buy Moxie now-a-days is in Lisbon, Maine, where a small shack sells it. media type="youtube" key="hEpyFopmxYU" height="390" width="640" align="center"