Cool History
- The vending industry dates back to 215 B.C.E., when a device that was used to dispense holy water was used in the temples of Egypt. The device was described by the mathematician, Hero, who lived in Alexandria.
- 1888 The Thomas Adams gum Company introduced the first vending machine in the U.S. The machines sold Tutti-Frutti gum on train platforms in New York.
- 1902 Horn & Hardart opened the first coin operated restaurant, the automat, in Philadelphia.
- 1905 U.S. Post Office began to use stamp vendors.
- 1907 The gumball machine made its debut.
- 1920s Machines that dispensed cups of soda appeared on the scene.
- 1930s Ice-cooled machines vending bottled soft drinks began to appear.
- 1946 Invention of the first coffee vendors lead to use of vending machines for coffee breaks.
- 1950 First refrigerated sandwhich vendors appeared.
- 1960 Dolar-bill changers were added to banks of vending machines.
- 1985 Vending machines began to accept credit and debit cards
- 1986 100th anniversary of vending in the United States
- 1991 Flavored coffees, expresso, and cappuccino introduced un machines.
- 1993 First remote wireless transmission of data from machines to warehouse.
- Today machines dispense everything form umbrellas, art, toys, laundry detergent, toiletries and DVDs, to crisp salads, made-to-order ice cream, freshly baked pizza, hot macaroni and cheese and a gallon of milk!
Hot Facts
- In 2006 enough snacks were sold to feed every person in the world almost twice.
- Also in 2006 over 21 billion beverages were sold via vending machines. Laid end to end, those cans would circle the world 70 times.
- Enough hot drinks were sold in 2006 for every resident of North America to consume 13 drinks each during a year.
- 58.2% of vending machines are found in offices and manufacturing workplaces.
- Only 12.3% of vending machines are found in schools and colleges.
- The amount of ice cream sold in one year increased by 38.4%
- Some vending machines can now be operated by credit card.
- Some special machines have digital SureVend displays that offer customers a second product choice or a refund if their first product gets stuck. No more lost money!
- Tilting a vending machine when a product is stuck is very dangerous. People have been crushed under the weight of falling machines.
- Some vending machines sell umbreallas, perfect for when it starts to rain!
- iPod vending machines are becoming popular in America's shopping malls.
- Hot Pizza, gourmet coffee with freshly ground beans, grilled hot dogs and French fries can all be found in vending machines.
- Many vending machines offer fresh choices such as salads, fruit, and sandwiches.