Vending machine is a self-service device that dispenses a product or provides a service when money or a token, card, or key is inserted into it. Vending machines dispense such items as candy, cigarettes, coffee, newspapers, postage stamps, and soft drinks. Some vending machines dispense frozen foods, soups, salads, sandwiches, fruits and desserts, and complete meals. Service machines include coin-operated washing machines, pay telephones, and subway fare-card machines. In some airports, vending machines rent cellular telephones and carrying carts. Vending machines sell billions of dollars worth of goods and services each year.
How vending machines work.
Most vending machines accept coins. With some types, the user must insert the exact change before the machine will operate. With others, the user can insert a coin or paper money larger than the purchase price. The machine will dispense the item and refund the proper amount of change. A special vending machine called a currency changer accepts paper money and makes change in coins that can then be used in other vending machines. Currency changers can distinguish between bills of different denominations and return the proper amount of change for each denomination that they can accept.
The vending machine industry is composed of manufacturing companies, operating companies, and companies that supply the products that are sold in the machines. Operating companies usually pay a fee, called a commission, to the owner of the location where a machine is placed. The commission is based on the sales made through the vending machines at that location.
History.
A device that dispensed holy water in a Greek temple in Alexandria, Egypt, in 215 B.C. is the earliest known vending machine. The first vending machines in the United States began dispensing chewing gum on New York City train platforms in 1888. Candy and cigarette vending machines first appeared during the 1920’s. The first coffee machine was introduced in 1946.
