History
Vending machines go back a lot longer then you may think. From their simple beginnings to the fully automated machines we see today. There is a lot of history you may not know.
The Beginning
The first example of a vending machine was invented in the 1st century A.D in the city of Alexandria where an inventor / engineer named Heron created a machine that accepted coins to dispense a measured amount of Holy water.
17th Century
The next major step forward in the evolution of the vending machine was around 1615 in England where a small brass machine was placed in local taverns that dispensed tobacco.
19th Century
During the 1880s in London England, the first modern coin-operated vending machine was invented. These machines were most often placed in post offices and railway stations and dispensed stamps, postcards and newspapers.
20th Century
The 20th century had many major innovations in the vending machine industry. Starting I the 1920s vending machines started dispensing sodas in cups to customers. In 1926 vending machines that dispensed cigarettes were invented by American inventor William Rowe. The machines grew in popularity until the rising health concerns over the use of cigarettes eventually lead to their banning.
21st Century
In 2004 Redbox started offering DVD rentals out of vending machines for the first time, opening the market up to the full potential on the on demand service vending machines can offer. Throughout the 2010s more and more different types of vending machines opened up. From hot pizza to automobiles the potential of the vending industry has become limitless.