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Gatorade’s impact reaches beyond the athletic field

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It would be hard to find someone who didn’t know the popular sports drink “Gatorade”. But did you know that it got its start at the University of Florida? Dr. Robert Cade came to UF as part of the launch of the medical school (the first public one in the state) and worked to create the now popular, Gatorade. The hydration innovation was a breakthrough, and yes, it did help the football team! However, the creation of the drink did much more than just help the team. The beverage cracked the code for those suffering from dehydration and in the end, helped people all over the world.  This large-scale impact on humanity meant more to the scientists than the athletic performance benefits. If you want to feel a part of the history, there’s also a museum in Gainesville where you can see the original lab reconstructed and you guessed it, it’s named in his honor: Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention. His story is inspiring, but the museum continues his legacy by holding a yearly competition for innovations in the early stages awarded the “Cade Prize”. 

 

For more on Dr. Robert Cade watch this video below:

To visit the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention, or for more information on the Cade Prize,  check out the website here.

Dr. Cade behind a Gatorade stand with facetious signs.
Dr. Cade pouring Gatorade for football players. 
Dr. Cade posing with Gatorade bottles in front of Gator logo. 
Vintage bottles and packaging of Gatorade.
The Gatorade exhibit at the Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention.