1894: The year that coupons were born. After purchasing the formula for Coca-Cola for $2,300, Asa Candler creates and distributes hand written tickets for a free glass of his new fountain drink.
1895: The year the first grocery coupon is born. C.W. Post creates and distributes a one-cent coupon for his new health cereal, Grape Nuts.
1930’s: Coupons come into their own as many households look to save money any way they can during the Great Depression.
1940’s: Supermarkets come on the scene. Coupons make the jump from neighborhood grocery stores to these new regional grocery stores.
1957: Coupons create a new industry as the Nielsen Coupon Clearing House becomes the first company devoted to coupon redemption.
1965: It is estimated that 50% of all Americans use coupons.
1975: Over 35 billion coupons are distributed and the number of households that use coupons rised to an estimated 65%.
1995: The first coupons appear on the Internet.
1998: America celebrates the first National Coupon Month.
2002: Shoppers save and estimated $3 billion dollars by redeeming some 3.8 billion coupons.
2003: The number of households estimated using coupons stands at 77%.
