Vending Machine
Vending machines are everywhere — in office lobbies, airports, gas stations, convenience stores, malls and even in the streets. While some vending machines dispense items that might best be characterized as “junk food,” advances in technology have allowed for some machines to dispense healthier snacks, fresh fruit, even freshly cooked hot foods. And not to be outdone by advances in product selection, vending machines have become more customer friendly with options like touch screens, secure credit card and cash readers, and even remote monitoring from cell phones.
Vending machines have come a long way since their inception, now offering both convenience and a greater selection of products than ever before. Let’s take a look at the history of vending machines and see how far we have come.
The earliest instances of vending machines can be traced all the way back to Ancient Egypt and Greece, with the use of water clocks and coin-operated machines. These machines were designed to dispense specific items, like holy water or holy oil, in exchange for coins dropped into a slot.
It wasn’t until the 15th-16th century AD that vending machines moved out of the churches and into more public settings. This allowed for machines that dispense items like playing cards, scissors, and religious books in exchange for money. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, more public vending machine options were available, including machines that dispense food and drinks in exchange for coins.
It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s that vending machines started to become more refined and offer a wider variety of items. In the US, vending machines provided food, beverages, and cigarettes in exchange for coins and paper money. As technology advanced and vending machines became more capable of accepting different forms of payment, their popularity skyrocketed.
Today, vending machines are commonplace and it is estimated that about 8 percent of the US population use vending machines on a weekly basis. From snacks, beverages to full meals, laundering services to books, there’s a vending machine for everything. It is estimated that vending machines will continue to grow in popularity, as they provide a quick, easy and convenient way to fulfill people’s needs.
Vending machines are an integral part of any modern business. With the convenience of payment options such as cards, cash, text messages and NFC payments, the possibilities for vending machines are vast. Many businesses are choosing to add vending machines to make their operations more efficient and consumer-friendly.
Vending machines are constantly being improved, as technology advances and consumer demands change. We’re likely to see things like more elaborate machines that offer a wider range of products, interactive display screens, sophisticated payment systems, voice recognition and remote monitoring capabilities in the years to come.
It is clear that vending machines are here to stay. They are incredibly practical, convenient, and offer an improved selection of products and services than ever before. Businesses should take full advantage of this technology to improve operations and create a more enjoyable experience for their customers.
