The First Vending Machine Dispensed Holy Water in Ancient Egypt
The Evolution of Vending Machines
Long before snacks and soda, the first vending machine was invented by Hero of Alexandria in Roman Egypt to dispense holy water. A coin dropped onto a lever triggered a valve, releasing a measured amount. The article traces how vending evolved from tobacco and postcards to coffee, frozen meals, and cashless payments, with 71% of U.S. transactions now cashless.
The first known automated dispensing device was designed in Roman Egypt by a Greek engineer and mathematician named Hero of Alexandria.
- carver2941
The amount of complex software running these now is insane, yet they still manage to consistently fail on card readers.
- m463
Someone has to bring up japanese vending machines. They are sort of amazing.
That said, I've seen more weird giant vending machines in airports nowadays, the memorable ones to me selling all kinds of lego sets.
- skyberrys
By the end of the read I was wondering why I can't setup a few vending machines, sit back and watch the profits roll in. I know it's likely more complicated that I imagine, but it seems like such a hands off way to manage commerce. It wraps up inventory management and sales into one convenient package and takes out the daily responsibilities.