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5 things you didn't know about Starbucks coffee

Published: 2026-02-27 Author: World Gafei

Last Updated: 2026/02/27, In 1971, Starbucks was just a coffee shop where people bought caffeine to solve their drowsiness problems. Frappuccino didn't exist until 24 years later. Obviously, Starbucks has changed a lot in the past 40 years. Let's take a look back at Starbucks 'ocean-themed history. Nowadays you can find four on every corner, but back in 1971,

In 1971, Starbucks was just a cafe where people bought caffeine to solve the sleepy problem. Frappuccino was only available 24 years later, and it is clear that Starbucks has changed a lot in the past 40 years. Let's review the history of Starbucks' ocean theme.

Nowadays you can find four on every corner, but back in 1971, Starbucks was just another coffee place bringing caffeine to the sleepy masses. Frappuccinos were still 24 years away, the stock market wasn't even a consideration, and no one knew what the hell a Pumpkin Spice Latte was. Obviously a lot happened in the ensuing four decades, so we thought we'd bring you up to speed on the highlights from Starbucks' nautical-themed history.

Today you can easily find four cafes on any street corner, while in 1971, Starbucks was just a caffeine shop where people bought caffeine to solve their sleepy problems, and Fabuccino didn't exist until 24 years later. Starbucks bosses didn't even think about going public. And no one knows what a pumpkin latte is. Obviously, Starbucks has changed a lot in the past 40 years, so we'd like to take you to take a quick look at Starbucks' ocean-themed history.

1.It was founded by two teachers and a writer.

Starbucks was founded by two teachers and a writer.

Though the man most associated with Starbucks is chairman and CEO Howard Schultz-- who's been with the company since the & # 39th 80s-- it was actually started by three dudes without an MBA between them. That'd be Gordon Bowker (a writer), Zev Siegl (a history teacher), and Jerry Baldwin (an English teacher). Wanting to bring the best coffee to Seattle, they opened the first Starbucks in 1971 in Pike Place Market. It only sold beans at first, but that would change once Schultz stepped in.

Although the closest relationship with Starbucks is Howard, chairman and CEO, who has been in charge of the company's operations since the 1980 s. Schultz, however, is actually founded by three people who do not have an MBA. They are the writer Gordon. Bocker, history teacher Zefu. Seg and Jerry, the English teacher. Baldwin. With the idea of bringing coffee to Seattle, the trio opened their first Starbucks cafe in Park Market in 1971. At first they only sold coffee beans, but that has changed since Schultz joined.

2.The name was inspired by Moby-Dick.

Starbucks is named after the novel Moby Dick.

"Starbucks" refers to the first mate in that Herman Melville book you never quite finished in high school. Looking back, it might seem like an unusual namesake, but the original idea was much stranger. Bowker first suggested they name the place after the Moby-Dick whaling ship, the Pequod.

The name Starbucks comes from Herman, the master of the American literary world. The protagonist of Melville's Moby Dick (you may have read it in high school, but never finished it). In retrospect, it sounded like an unusual name, but its original name was more elusive. Bocker initially suggested that it be named after the whaling ship Piguund in Moby Dick.

3.The original mermaid was way racier.

The original Starbucks mermaid profile portrait was extremely indecent.

Seeing as the Starbucks logo is a siren, she's supposed to lure you into buying coffee. But the first version wasn't exactly a subtle seductress. They at least covered up her chest with flowing hair in 1987, but she didn't morph into the version we're familiar with until 1992.

Starbucks logo is a siren, she is to attract you to buy coffee. But her original version is not actually a meek and charming woman. It was only in 1987 that they designed to cover her breasts with long hair, and it was not until 1992 that they evolved into the version we are now familiar with.

4.The size names are truly meaningless.

The name of the Starbucks Cup actually has no special meaning.

It turns out there's no real reason why a small is tall or a large is venti.

In fact, it doesn't make sense why a small cup is called "tall" and a large cup is called "venti".

5.NPR prank-reported a Starbucks pipeline.

The National Public Voice joked that Starbucks would build a transcontinental coffee pipeline.

In 1996, NPR's All Things Considered told listeners that Starbucks was developing atranscontinental coffee pipeline that would carry freshly roasted coffee beans across thousands of miles. Except this information came on a pretty critical date: April 1st.

In 1996, the National Public Voice's thoughtful program reported that Starbucks was planning to build a transcontinental coffee pipeline that could transport freshly roasted beans across thousands of miles. But it was reported on a special day: April 1st (April Fool's Day).