Vending machines are now available everywhere. These machines offer different products from food, beverages, journals, newspapers, toiletries and toys. You can also customise your vending machine to dispense more unusual products like tickets, CD’s and DVD’s, and disposable cameras. These automated retail machines, the other term used for vending machines, offer convenience for both the customer and the owner. However, to be able to really appreciate this kind of machinery, we need to look at its history and pay homage to the creators of this useful tool.
The automatic retailing machine was discovered by a Greek mathematician in 215BC. He invented the first machine to vend holy water used in Egyptian temples. His invention was designed to have a hole where the coin is dropped. A pan was placed within the machine that tilted when the coin was dropped within, the tilting of the pan opened the valve, dispensing the holy water. The pan continued to tilt with the weight of the coin until the coin fell off, at which a counterweight lifted the lever back up and stopped the water flowing out.
This was the beginning of vending machines which are now distributed across the globe. During the late 1800’s, a coin operated vending machine which dispensed postcards was commercially introduced into London, England. An entrepreneur named Richard Carlisle invented a vending machine which sold books during the same period. In 1888, the Thomas Adams Gum company spearheaded the introduction of vending machines in the United States. The machines were installed in subways in the New York City area and sold Tutti-Fruiti bubble gum. This was revolutionised in 1897 by the Pulver Manufacturing Company that added animated figures to its gum machines. The popular gumball was introduced via vending machines during the early part of the 1900’s.
The popularity of vending machines has changed the outlook of manybusiness entrepreneurs, opening up many new opportunities. These pioneer vending machines were the prototype of the vending machine of today, including pinball machines and slot machines. It even inspired a restaurant to install a completely different feature. Horn &Hardart restaurant opened in 1902 and was coin operated, the restaurant had no tables, only 15 stools for customers and the whole place was fitted with vending machines which dispensed food from the restaurant. They also offered beverages and other refreshments.
In 1926 automatic vending machines started dispensing soft drinks into plastic cups. This was an immediate hit as soft drink was beginning to become very popular. Cigarettes were also popular and William Rowe of America invented a vending machine which exclusively dispatched cigarette packs. His invention skyrocketed, due to the increase of smokers in the United States, and his vending machineswere scattered all over America.
The manufacturing of vending machines also experienced an increase in demand, thereby increasing the production of good quality vending machines. Vending machines were being ordered in bulk by both small and big business. Vendorlator Manufacturing Company located inFresno, California amassed a large fortune due to the increase of vending machine demand. The company made a series of classic machines during the 1940’s and 1950’s that sold products like Coca Cola and Pepsi.
Seeing the progression of this unique invention through the years is amazing. Understanding how the industry began, and how it’s helped small businesses compete with larger companies in offering services and products is remarkable. The evolution that is occurring within this business is great, even today. Vending machines are now able to accept credit cards and touch screen technology is being utilized for easy accessibility.
These improvements will dramatically increase the vending machine’s usefulness in any form of business, making them the most versatile machines to be used in the business sector. From the beginning, vending machineshave been versatile,and can be customized to provide services and products for many people.
For business owners, or those who want to add another income stream, vending machines are a good idea to invest in. Vending machines are versatile and can be customized in any way the owner would like, ensuring a profitable business. You’ll own a device that sells a myriad of products at a fixed priced. You don’t have to say a word, you just have to set up a vending machine in populated areas like shopping centres, convenience stores, gyms, and train stations and then sit back and collect your profit.
If you’re intrigued about how to improve your income with vending machines, talk to us today.
