Hello, and welcome to our first ever Fusion article! In this type of article, you’ll find that we choose one small topic, and break it down into multiple sub-parts to describe it in the most informative and engaging way. As a free taster-trial for free subscribers, this Fusion article will be free - however, in the future other Fusion articles will be reserved for paid subscribers only.

Vending machines - helpful tools if you want to snack on a chocolate bar or immerse yourself in a can of Coke. Many walk away indifferent after purchasing something from one of these machine - it’s just a regular part of day-to-day life. Or so they think.

Vending machines are more than just a last-resort for peckish people - in some cases, they’re fun, wild and quirky. Take a delicious dive into the history and the culture of vending machines with this newly-written article.

PART I: The Rise of Vending Machines

Like many other modern inventions, the first traces of vending machines can be found hundreds of years back. In this case, we’ll revisit the Ancient Greeks, specifically a mathematician and engineer known as the Hero of Alexandria. Water was dispensed if you inserted a few coins, and at this moment the vending machine was born.

Skipping a few more centuries, we’re flying back to England, where vending machines evolved even further. Tobacco became very popular, so in taverns, vending machines started selling it in the 17th century. In the 1820s, an English bookseller then created a machine that vended banned books.

These versions of the vending machine were at very early stages - only in the 1880s did the modern coin-operated vending machine start to emerge. Post offices and train stations used vending machines that sold equipment like postcards, envelopes and paper. Over in the United States, a gum company introduced the first American vending machine around the same time. Later on, the gumball machine was invented in 1907.

The vending machine was now moving at a faster pace, transforming into machines that dispensed soda, both bottled and in cups. Coca-Cola quickly became one of the first brands to do this, with Pepsi following closely behind.

As the 21st century came around, credit card readers were installed, allowing higher-priced items to be sold through these machines. In fact, all sorts of odd and quirky items are sold through vending machines, bringing us onto our next topic - the variants of vending machines.

PART II: The Variants of Vending Machines

Vending machines are known to be electronic drink-and-snack selling devices, but the product range is actually much wider than that. From hot-dog vending machines to farm-fresh egg ones, the possibilities are endless.

The Toasty Pizza Vending Machine

Is your deepest desire to sink your teeth in gooey, silky cheese? Or that sweet but tangy tomato sauce, spread perfectly across a toasty slice of the softest bread? But…going to a restaurant is a pain, and there’ll probably be a queue at any pizzeria. That’s when the pizza vending machine jumps in. In under five minutes, you can receive a fresh-from-the-vending-machine-oven, mouth-watering customized pizza - you’ll be saved from the hassle of waiting and sitting down, but it will still be the delicious quality you were hoping for.

The Cupcake Vending Machine - With Sprinkles!

House location criteria usually includes proximity to schools, proximity to stores and proximity to restaurants - however, for some people, a Cupcake ATM is on that list.

Residents of Beverly Hills enjoy the services of Sprinkles, a cupcake company that is now dispensing cupcakes - with sprinkles - through automated machines. By just tapping a few buttons, flicking a few switches and clicking the done symbol, cupcakes are dropped through an opening-and-closing box.

The Self-Toasting Hot Dog Vending Machine

If you’re looking for a quick and tasty lunch option, one of these hot dog vending machines is the perfect choice for you. In just a few minutes, you’ll be presented a bun freshly toasted, a sausage cooked about thirty seconds ago and a mechanically-squirted layer of condiments. Fast food is finally becoming future food.

Swap-O-Matic

We’re traveling back to New York City, where users swap their unneeded goods for other people’s junk. Relying purely on a trust system and a hope that people won’t abuse it, New Yorkers have the chance to exchange their things for other people’s - it could be anything.

In conclusion, vending machines are more than just drink-and-snack dispensers - across the world, they sell things like farm-fresh eggs and even gold bars! For more of our Fusion articles, keep an eye out for that word in our titles!

IMAGE CREDITS: The FW, Vertical Innovations LTD, Tramps UK, EaterAustin

RESEARCH CREDITS: CoolMaterial & Forbes