Vend-a-rama
Vending machines. You might think they were a 20th century innovation, but you'd be wrong.
The first vending machine is thought to have been created in the first century A.D. by Hero of Alexandria, according to the Smithsonian Magazine (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/ancient_calendar.html). The machine used a mechanical lever/balance/coin mechanism to deliver a measure of holy water, as it seemed many were using more than their share. Geez, concern over stealing too much holy water? Seems an ominous introduction.
The vending machine industry remained mundane for several centuries, until the 1880s saw them offering postcards, gum and small sweets, with great success.
In the 1890s, a German inventor developed a machine that would add CO2 to deliver a mug of beer from a machine, and in Paris, wine was pouring out of vending fountains. Seems that Pennsylvania deal recently revealed isn't a novelty after all.
In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, the "Automat," such as the famed Horn & Hardart in NYC, provided a wide array of foods and treats through an automated door system. No waiters. No waiting. Just pay, open and eat.
Today, one can buy designer jeans in Florence, gold bars in the UAE, tennis shoes in Amsterdam, plants and flowers in Japan, gemstones in Australia, board shorts and bikinis in beach resorts and airports, and medicinal marijuana in Los Angeles, all from a machine.
The machines are also being used for promotions, such as the Smart Car vending machine, which actually only distributes information, no cute little vehicle, and the gun vend, which actually takes your money and applies it to a non-profit advocating gun legislation.
Forget hauling out pennies, dimes and quarters, however, like previous generations did for sodas, candy bars and gumballs. Most of these high tech machines deliver goods that come with a hefty price tag. Swipe the plastic, my friend, as you are a part of what vending machine industry guys are now terming generation "P."
With the creativity involved, such as the plate-purchasing-crashing anger management vend, and the Smart Car info promo, paired with the elimination of a paycheck for a live human to man a station, it seems vending has a bright future. Also seems the sky's the limit. So, what would you vend?