7 Little-Known Facts Behind Starbucks' Origins

Ever wondered how Starbucks went from a tiny Seattle coffee bean shop to a global coffee empire with seasonal drinks like Pumpkin Spice Latte and a cup size called 'venti'? The road wasn’t paved with lattes from the start. Here’s how it really happened.

In short: Starbucks was founded in 1971 by three non-business types—a writer, a history teacher, and an English teacher—who only sold coffee beans. Howard Schultz later transformed it, and many of its quirks—from the name 'Starbucks' to the 'tall' cup size—have weird or accidental origins.

The Founders Weren’t Businesspeople

Starbucks wasn’t launched by entrepreneurs, but by three everyday locals with a passion for quality coffee. The original founders were Gordon Bowker (a writer), Zev Siegl (a history teacher), and Jerry Baldwin (an English teacher). They opened the first Starbucks in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in 1971, focusing solely on selling coffee beans. Howard Schultz, who would later become CEO, joined in the 1980s and shifted the company toward brewed coffee and retail.

The Name Comes from Moby-Dick

The now-iconic name 'Starbucks' wasn’t the first choice. It was inspired by Starbuck, the first mate in Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick. The original idea was even stranger: founders first wanted to name the store after the whaling ship in the book—Pequod. Thankfully, they opted for something catchier. The name Starbuck likely sounded more caffeinated—or at least more marketable.

The Original Logo Was Racy

That siren on your cup? She used to be much more revealing. The original Starbucks logo featured a topless Norse woodcut siren, inspired by maritime history. In 1987, they covered her chest with hair, but she was still considered inappropriate for general audiences. It wasn’t until 1992 that Starbucks settled on the more family-friendly, twin-tailed siren design still used today.

Cup Sizes Started Randomly

Ever get mocked for ordering a 'tall' small or a 'venti' large? There’s no deep meaning behind the names. The cup sizing system—including terms like 'tall', 'grande', and 'venti'—was first invented at Il Giornale, a coffee chain created by Schultz in 1986. His business partner, Dawn Pinaud, admitted the quirky terms were just made up in a meeting room. They stuck when Schultz acquired Starbucks and merged the brands.

The ‘PSL’ Was Created by a Stanford MBA and Basketball Player

The Pumpkin Spice Latte, one of Starbucks’ most famous seasonal drinks, was the brainchild of Peter Dukes. A Stanford grad with an MBA and a basketball background, Dukes joined Starbucks in 2003. After several failed drink pitches, he pushed for a pumpkin-inspired espresso beverage. His idea was greenlit, and the PSL became a cultural phenomenon. He’s even immortalized in a mural at Starbucks HQ.

Starbucks Once (Fake) Announced a Coffee Pipeline

In 1996, National Public Radio’s All Things Considered reported—jokingly—that Starbucks planned to build a continent-spanning coffee pipeline to deliver fresh beans. The prank aired on April Fools' Day. Most listeners laughed it off, but a few actually contacted Starbucks to ask if it was real. The idea of a coffee pipeline remains a fun myth, but beans still travel by more conventional means.

Rock Stars Signed to Starbucks’ Label

In 2007, Starbucks launched its own record label, Hear Music, through a partnership with Concord Music Group. Shortly after, the label signed music legend Paul McCartney—yes, that Paul McCartney. They also added folk icon James Taylor and Canadian singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell. This move marked Starbucks’ venture beyond coffee into the music world, bridging beans and beats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who actually founded Starbucks?

Starbucks was originally founded in 1971 by three non-business professionals: Gordon Bowker (a writer), Zev Siegl (a history teacher), and Jerry Baldwin (an English teacher). They opened the first store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market to sell high-quality coffee beans. Howard Schultz joined later and transformed the company into the global coffeehouse chain we know today.

Why is Starbucks called Starbucks?

The name 'Starbucks' comes from the first mate, Starbuck, in Herman Melville’s novel Moby-Dick. The founders initially wanted to name the store after the whaling ship in the novel, Pequod, but chose 'Starbucks' instead—likely because it sounded catchier and more caffeine-friendly.

What’s the story behind Starbucks’ original logo?

The original Starbucks logo featured a topless Norse siren from a 16th-century woodcut. In 1987, her chest was covered with hair, but the image was still deemed inappropriate. By 1992, Starbucks introduced the current, more modest version with the siren’s double tail, which remains in use today.

Where did the 'tall' and 'venti' cup sizes come from?

The unusual Starbucks cup size names—like 'tall' for small and 'venti' for 20 ounces—originated at Il Giornale, a coffee chain founded by Howard Schultz in 1986. His business partner, Dawn Pinaud, admitted the names were created spontaneously in a meeting and stuck when Schultz merged the companies.

Who invented the Pumpkin Spice Latte?

The Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL) was created by Peter Dukes, a former Stanford MBA graduate and basketball player who joined Starbucks in 2003. After several failed drink ideas, he proposed a pumpkin-flavored espresso drink, which became a hit and is now a fall staple. He’s honored with a mural at Starbucks HQ.

Did Starbucks ever really plan a coffee pipeline?

No, the reported 'coffee pipeline' was an April Fools' Day joke. In 1996, NPR’s All Things Considered jokingly claimed Starbucks was building a pipeline to transport fresh coffee beans across the continent. Some listeners believed it, but it was purely satirical.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee History Fans

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