Public Radio International (PRI)

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obitoftheday:

Obit of the Day: Inventor of Red Bull

The most famous energy drink in the world was created by a 50-someting, Thai recluse. Chaleo Yoovidhya created Red Bull (which is the English translation of the original Thai name Krathing Daeng) in the 1980s and marketed the high-caffeine carbonated beverage to truck drivers and blue collar workers.

Not long after its introduction, a German pharmaceutical sales rep named Dietrich Mateschitz, tried the drink on his worldwide travels and found that it was the only cure he could find for jet lag. He partnered with Mr. Yoovidhya (each contributed $500,000 and owned 49% of the company) to introduce Red Bull to an international market. Red Bull was introduced first to Austria in 1987.

Twenty-five years later Red Bull owns 70% of the energy drink market and both Yoovidhya and Mateschitz have become billionaires. When Mr. Yoodvidhya died his age was listed by various news outlets as 80, 88, or 90.

(Image of a bottle of Red Bull from Thailand is courtesy of forum.loyat.net)

He gave you wings.