| (1889
- 1985) |
| Inducted: |
1977 |
| Region: |
Southeast |
| Industry: |
Manufacturing
Food |
|
Robert W. Woodruff gave Coca-Cola Co. its corporate shape. He was always looking at the long-range effects of any change, at times begetting an extreme conservatism, as in the case when he resisted switching to a larger bottle size even after Pepsi proved that ir had a stronger market appeal. At other times, his vision for Coke led him to bold and aggressive policies. Woodruff had no doubt that everybody in the world would like Coke, but he refused to modify Coke to suit particular markets. This policy worked. One $75 share of Coca-Cola stock purchased when Woodruff came to the head of the company in 1923 was worth $10,000 when he was inducted into the National Business Hall of Fame in 1977. |
