A History of Vending Machines, From Chewing Gum to 90 ...

Forget the outdated office vending machine! A new era of vending machines has arrived. These modern machines not only reheat frozen pizza but can also knead the dough and make a pie from scratch. Others offer fresh cupcakes, perfectly cooked pasta, and customizable Oreo cookies—truly futuristic innovations.

Vending machines have evolved significantly from their humble beginnings, specifically in the late 19th century when they dispensed cigarettes, peanuts, and various small items for just a penny. Back then, even creating a machine that could brew a decent cup of coffee was a challenge. This article traces the fascinating journey of vending machines in the USA over the past 130 years, exploring their origins and technological advancements.

Vending or automatic retailing is the term used for selling goods through automated machines, and its history is quite extensive. The first known vending machine was created by Hero of Alexandria, a Greek mathematician, who designed a device that dispensed holy water in Egyptian temples.

Other notable early machines included small brass devices that dispensed tobacco in English taverns in the 17th century. In 1822, Richard Carlile, a publisher from England, created a newspaper vending machine that allowed people to purchase banned literature. The first fully automatic vending machine, designed to dispense stamps, appeared in 1883.

In the early 20th century, London introduced the first commercial coin-operated vending machines. Commonly found in railway stations and post offices, these machines were used to buy items like envelopes, postcards, and stationery. In 1888, the Sweetmeat Automatic Delivery Co. was established to service these machines.

The following year, the Thomas Adams Gum Co. introduced the first vending machines in the United States, which were installed at New York's elevated subway platforms to sell Tutti-Fruiti gum. By 1896, the Pulver Manufacturing Co. enhanced the appeal of gum machines by adding illustrated figures, while round gumball machines made their debut.

Vending machines soon diversified to offer virtually everything, including cigars and stamps. In 1902, Philadelphia saw the opening of Horn & Hardart, a fully coin-operated restaurant that operated until 1991. These fast-food establishments, referred to as automats, originally accepted only nickels and were frequented by both struggling artists and celebrities alike.

The first beverage vending machine appeared in Paris in 1880, allowing customers to buy beer, wine, and liquor. By the early 1900s, machines started dispensing soft drinks into cups. Today, beverages represent one of the most popular items sold in vending machines.

In 1926, William Rowe invented the cigarette vending machine, but their frequency declined in the U.S. due to regulations concerning underage purchasing. In contrast, some countries require age verification before the purchase can be completed. Cigarette vending machines remain prevalent in nations such as Germany, Austria, and Japan.

While food, drinks, and cigarettes are common vending items, specialty machines have expanded into numerous other categories. The acceptance of credit card payments beginning in the early 2000s significantly increased the variety and price range of items offered by vending machines.

Examples of specialty products sold through vending machines include:

• Fish bait
• Online internet time
• Lottery tickets
• Books
• Electronics like iPads and cell phones
• Hot foods such as pizza
• Life insurance
• Contraceptives
• Over-the-counter medications
• Automobiles

In late 2017, Autobahn Motors in Singapore even launched a luxury car vending machine, allowing customers to purchase high-end vehicles like Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Japan stands out for its innovative use of vending technology, with machines available that sell fresh produce, sushi, hot meals, batteries, and even clothing. It boasts the highest per capita rate of vending machines in the world.

The next wave of vending innovation is smart vending machines, which incorporate features like cashless payments, biometric recognition, and social media connectivity. Future machines may recognize customers and tailor their offerings based on previous purchases, such as suggesting a "skim latte with a double shot of vanilla" based on past orders.

Market research estimates that by 2025, 20% of all vending machines will be smart machines equipped with customer recognition capabilities.