Some of the weird and wacky things from the past just make you smile. You can’t help it. Sometimes, you look at these contraptions, scratch your head, and and simply say “Huh”.
Here’s a collection of vending machines from the past that I wish we still had today.
Hot Meals
Ah…. nothing like moseying up to a hot meals vending machine. Just insert your two-bits and a surprise mystery meal appears – piping hot and ready to eat.
Speedy Weeny
And when you just want a “lite” meal, you can buy a Speedy Weeny! Sizzling, delicious, and served in a hot bun!
Whiskey Dispenser
Now we’re talkin’! Any one have a quarter to spare? Notice how you can add water or soda to your whisky – or just drink it straight up and neat. They should install these in break rooms at work…
Bikini Automat Vending Machine
Because, well… because you just never know when you’ll need a bikini – and how much fun to choose one without having to try it on?
Worms Dispenser
After you slip into your bikini, you’ll want to head on down to the lake for a swim, and a little fishing. Don’t forget your canned night crawlers. Eewwwww!
Got Beer?
Along with the whisky vending machine, something every office should have – LOL!
Cocktail Automixer
When a cold glass of beer won’t do, there’s the Cocktail Automixer! But without a bartender, who you gonna pour your heart out to after a few cocktails??
Potato Vending Machine
Is this how we got the term “instant potatoes”?
Egg-O-Matic
This vending machine seems a little risky to me. I’m sure you’ve gotten a can of soda from a vending machine where the can plops to the opening and then fizzes all over when you open it, right? Maybe this machine is for “scrambled eggs”?! How many chickens do you suppose are stuffed inside that little box? LOL
Book-O-Mat
Before Amazon books, there was the Book-O-Mat. For a quarter, you could pick a pocket book of choice and be on your way. No two-day delivery needed. And you thought RedBox was revolutionary.
Nylon Vending Machine
Gotta run in your stocking? No problem! Just find the nearest Nylon Vending Machine!
Shine-A-Minit
Need a quick shine? You’re covered! For 5-cents you can choose from brown or black and be back on your way in no time! For some reason, I envision a scene from a bad horror movie if this machine were to malfunction.
Lunchroom Vending Machines
Forgot your lunch? There are plenty of other choices to choose from! Problem is, I envision a team of cooks and workers behind this wall preparing and packaging all that food. LOL
Have you spotted an odd vending machine from the past! Feel free to share a link in the comments below!
Know anyone that might want a nylon stockings vending machine?
Thank you, Tracy
The last one is an Automat cafeteria, probably one of the Horn & Hardart chain. Used to be all over the bigger cities. Basically a cafeteria line with a coin-operated set of gates between the cafeteria workers and the customers. “A team of cooks” on the other side of the wall was exactly how they worked.