Gatorade Timeline

1966: At the University of Florida, Dr. Robert Cade and Dr. Dana Shires create Gatorade for the university's football team, the Gaters.

1966/1967: Dr. Cade comes to an agreement with Stokely-Van Camp, Inc. (S-VC) to produce the already patented product.

1967: The Gaters begin to officially drink Gatorade. They beat Georgia Tech for their first Orange Bowl title. The Tech coach is asked why his team lost: "We didn't have Gatorade. That made the difference."

1967: At this time, the only flavor is yellow Lemon-Lime.

1968: Sports Illustrated writes: "Famous athletic teams rave over a cloudy, lime-green liquid with some strange attributes and an unfamiliar taste."

1969: The Kansas City Chiefs begin to drink Gatorade, which they attribute to their Super Bowl title of that year.

1970s: Elvis Presley drinks Gatorade on stage, taking a sip between songs and saying, "This is Gatorade -- in case you want to aid your gator."

1973: S-VC and Dr. Cade settle a lawsuit with the University of Florida. The university claims they own the rights to the Gatorade formula. From that day on, the University receives well over $80 million in royalties.

1983: Quaker Oats wins the bidding war with rival Pillsbury, and buys S-VC.

1983: Fruit Punch Gatorade debuts.

1985: The Gatorade crew begin to focus on the youth athlete market.

1988: Quaker Oats opens the Gatorade Sports Science Institute (GSSI).

Late 1980s: Pepsi receives licensed manufacturing of Gatorade in some world markets.

1990: Gatorade Light debuts but fails because athletes and non-athletes alike want the real thing.

1993: Iced tea with Lemon Gatorade debuts.

1997: Frost Glacier Freeze, Frost Riptide Rush, and Frost Alpine Snow debut.

1998: Quaker Oats sues Pepsi in Australia for using Gatorade secrets to make their own drink, All Sport. Quaker wins the case.

1999: The Gatorade Energy Bar debuts, with the following flavors: Berry, Chocolate, Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, and Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chip.

1999: Fierce Lime, Fierce Melon, Fierce Berry, Fierce Grape, and Midnight Thunder Gatorade flavors debut.

2001: Pepsi wins a bidding war with Coca-Cola and acquires Quaker Oats.

2001: Passion Fruit, Starfruit, and Frost High Tide Gatorade flavors debut.

2002: Strawberry Ice, Lime Ice, Orange Ice, and Frost Cascade Crash flavors debut.

2003: Gatorade introduces Propel, a "fitness water".

2003: Cool Blue, Extremo Tropical Intenso, Extremo Citrico Vibrante, Extremo Mango Electrico, Watermelon Ice, Berry Citrus, and Fierce Strawberry Gatorade flavors debut.

2004: ESPN the Flavor, X-Factor Fruit Punch + Berry, X-Factor Orange + Tropical Fruit, and X-Factor Lemon-lime + Strawberry debut.

2005: Lemonade, Raspberry Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, All-Stars Grape, All-Stars Lemon-Lime, All-Stars Berry, Cooler Orange, and Cherry Garcia Gatorade flavors debut.