Robert Cade

Robert Cade (1927-2007) was an American physician and university professor best known as the leader of the research team that developed Gatorade, a popular sports drink.

Cade was born in San Antonio, Texas. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1950 and completed his residency at Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital. In 1961, he joined the faculty of the University of Florida, where he remained for the rest of his career.

In 1965, Cade and his team, consisting of Dana Shires, H. James Free, and Alejandro de Quesada, began researching why University of Florida football players were suffering from heat-related illnesses during practices and games. Their research revealed that the players were losing significant amounts of fluids and electrolytes through sweat.

To address this problem, Cade's team developed a beverage that contained water, electrolytes (sodium and potassium), and carbohydrates to replenish what the players were losing. The drink was initially called "Gator-Ade," after the University of Florida's mascot, the Gators.

Gatorade quickly became popular among athletes and was eventually commercialized. It is now one of the most widely consumed sports drinks in the world.

Beyond Gatorade, Cade was also a professor of medicine, a nephrologist specializing in kidney disease, and an inventor, holding numerous patents for medical devices. He also had a passion for music, playing the violin and several other instruments.

Cade died on November 27, 2007, at the age of 80, due to kidney failure. He is remembered for his significant contribution to sports medicine and the development of a product that has become a cultural icon.