I have fond memories of childhood summer days slaked by the mere sight of the Codd soda bottle – named after its British inventor Hiram Codd. In Goa we knew it as “Guddechi baatli” and possession of the embedded “goddo” (the glass marble) gave many a young brat not inconsiderable bragging rights.

Today the Codd bottle is on the verge of retirement. Khandelwal Glass Works in India and another company in Japan are believed to be the last two surviving manufacturers of this relic.

Sightings of the Codd bottle have now become scarce in Panjim. I managed to wangle a sample from the Mohan Cold Drink House in Cortin. However, the traditional wooden opener was not to be found. You may remember the ‘experts’ in the art of opening this bottle – they could lengthen the duration of the hiss by controlling the pressure on the marble as it dislodged.

For a historical perspective on soda bottles, see this.

Codd soda factory in Panjim, Goa
5D Mark II, 24-105L

Codd soda machine in Panjim, Goa
5D Mark II, 24-105L

Codd soda bottle
5D Mark II, 85L II

Wide angle view of the Codd bottle
5D Mark II, 14L II