Aug 26
2008Seeing the vending machines we have all around us today, we can sometimes forget what they were like in the past. As with most things in our society, the have evolved over time. New ideas emerge from the old and the advances in technology certainly help as well. The first ones came about in London in the 1880’s. They first held only post cards and then books as well.
It was in 1888 that vending machines were introduced in the United States. They distributed gum in various subway stations of New York and Chicago. There were many different styles of vending machines that emerged in the early 1900’s. One of them that consumers immediately took to was the round gumball machine that we still see out there today.
A fascinating vending machine story involves a lovely restaurant in Philadelphia. It was called the Horn & Hardart and people came from all over to eat there. They fun thing was everything it offered was dispensed from a vending machine. Most people refer to this today as the cafeteria! That restaurant was a very successful business though from 1902 until 1962.
In the 1940’s the mass production of vending machines began to take place in the United States. These were designed to hold and distribute soda. They were extremely popular and they held glass bottles of soda rather than the cans and plastic bottles that we know today. The two biggest vendors for them were Coke and Pepsi.
The bottles were in there sideways and when you entered enough coins you could turn the latch blocking the opening of each door. After you slide the bottle out it would return to the place. Then another bottle would roll into that slot unless the vending machine was empty. They even featured a bottle opener on the door for convenience.
Today you will notice many different designs with the vending machines. They are all derived from those earlier models. New technology has allowed many advanced features to further the convenience. It also cuts down on the vending machines not operating properly. You can get the traditional items from them or other supplies.
Vending machines today offer much more than just post cards and books though. They offer food, supplies, games, and even entertainment. It can be really fund to spend some time exploring what your options are. Vending machines are all around us so it won’t be hard to locate some of them.
The next time you are out and about, take some time to notice the different physical appearances of the vending machines around. Look at the features they offer as well such as hot drinks and cold foods. You will find many with dollar bill acceptors. The older models of vending machines aren’t widely used anymore. However, many of them are viewed as collectors items so don’t toss them out.
