How do Vending Machines work?

Summary

Episode Summary: "How Do Vending Machines Work?"

Who Smarted?, an engaging educational podcast for kids and families produced by Atomic Entertainment and Starglow Media, delves into the fascinating world of vending machines in its episode titled "How Do Vending Machines Work?" Released on January 8, 2025, this episode combines humor, storytelling, and insightful trivia to captivate young minds while providing a comprehensive understanding of vending machines' history and functionality.

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Introduction to Vending Machines

The episode opens with the Trusty Narrator facing a dilemma choosing a snack from a vending machine, highlighting the relatable experience of indecision when faced with multiple options. This scenario sets the stage for an interactive and informative discussion with Vinny the Vending Machine, a personified vending machine character.

Notable Quote:

• Trusty Narrator [00:00]: "Ooh, that candy bar looks good. Oh, wait, it's got raisins in it. Yech. Hard pass."

A Brief History of Vending Machines

Early Beginnings: The conversation traces the origins of vending machines back to ancient times, crediting Hero of Alexandria from the first century during the Roman Empire as the pioneer of the earliest known vending machine. Hero's invention was a rudimentary device that dispensed holy water when a coin was inserted, demonstrating the long-standing human desire for automated convenience.

Notable Quote:

• Vinny [04:13]: "The first modern vending machine first appeared in England in the 1800s. But if we go back to the first century, to Egypt during the Roman Empire, there was a fella by the name of Hero of Alexandria."

Modern Developments: The episode progresses to the invention of the modern vending machine by Percival Everett in London in 1883, which originally dispensed postcards. This innovation quickly gained popularity, especially in train stations and post offices, expanding to include envelopes and paper. The discussion emphasizes how the convenience factor drove the diversification of vending machine offerings.

Notable Quote:

• Trusty Narrator [05:35]: "What do you think the first vending machine dispensed? Was it A, postcards, B, cups of tea, or C napkins? While none of them sound particularly exciting, if you guessed A postcards, you're right."

Evolution into Snack Dispensing Machines

Introduction of Snacks: In 1893, the German company Stolwerk revolutionized vending machines by introducing chocolate sales, deploying approximately 15,000 machines. This move marked the beginning of vending machines as we know them today—primarily dispensing snacks and beverages.

Global Expansion: The conversation touches upon the spread of vending machines to the United States in 1888, initially selling gum, thanks to the Thomas Adams Gum Company. The strategic placement of these machines in high-traffic areas like New York City train platforms is highlighted as a key factor in their widespread adoption.

Notable Quote:

• Vinny [07:14]: "A German chocolate company called Stolwerk set up a whopping 15,000 vending machines to sell their chocolate."

Diverse Types of Vending Machines

Beyond Snacks: Vinny explains that vending machines are not limited to snacks but can dispense a wide array of items, including books, phone charges, tickets, and even life insurance policies in the mid-20th century. This diversity underscores the versatility and adaptability of vending machines to meet various consumer needs.

High-Tech Vending Machines: The episode introduces listeners to advanced vending machines, such as those in Japan, where vending culture is exceptionally prominent. The Sagamihara Vending Machine Park, boasting over a hundred vintage yet operational machines, exemplifies the cultural significance and technological advancements in vending machine design.

Notable Quote:

• Vinny [13:26]: "The answer is all of the above. There are car vending machines in the United States and Singapore, and they can be as tall as apartment buildings."

Mechanics of Vending Machines

Internal Operations: A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to explaining the inner workings of vending machines. Vinny breaks down the process from payment to product dispensing:

1. Payment Verification: Utilizing electromagnetic weight sensors to validate coins or processing credit card information electronically.
2. Selection Processing: The central computer interprets button presses to determine the selected item.
3. Dispensing Mechanism: Motors, coils, or springs release the chosen product, ensuring delivery to the customer.

Error Handling: The discussion also covers potential issues like product jams and the importance of sensors that can detect failed deliveries, ensuring users receive refunds when necessary.

Notable Quote:

• Vinny [15:49]: "The motor turns the correct coil and your snack drops down. Of course, it's not always a coil. Sometimes it's a spring."

Global Popularity and Cultural Impact

Japan's Vending Machine Culture: The episode highlights Japan's remarkable vending machine landscape, featuring over 5 million machines with a density of one per 23 people. This prevalence is attributed to Japan's innovative approach, offering a vast selection of products and maintaining an impressive collection of vintage machines in dedicated museums.

Notable Quote:

• Vinny [17:08]: "In Japan, vending machine culture is huge. They have the highest ratio of vending machines per person anywhere in the world, with about one vending machine for every 23 people."

Conclusion and Wrap-Up

As the episode wraps up, Trusty Narrator reflects on the complexities and conveniences of vending machines, expressing newfound appreciation for these ubiquitous devices. The interactive banter with Vinny not only entertains but also reinforces the educational content, making learning about vending machines both fun and memorable.

Notable Quote:

• Trusty Narrator [17:56]: "But no matter how many vending machines there are in Japan, or anywhere in the world for that matter, you're still my number one."

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Key Takeaways

• Historical Evolution: From ancient automated holy water dispensers to modern high-tech machines, vending machines have continuously evolved to meet societal needs.

• Operational Mechanics: Understanding the basic mechanics—payment processing, selection interpretation, and dispensing mechanisms—demystifies how vending machines function efficiently.

• Cultural Significance: Vending machines play a significant role in various cultures, notably in Japan, where they are deeply integrated into daily life and celebrated through museums.

• Versatility: The broad range of products available through vending machines showcases their adaptability and enduring relevance in providing convenient access to goods and services.

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Who Smarted? successfully transforms a simple topic into an engaging educational adventure, blending humor with informative dialogue to spark curiosity and promote a love for learning among its young audience.

Transcript

[Trusty Narrator]

And now it's time for who's Smarted? Ooh, that candy bar looks good. Oh, wait, it's got raisins in it. Yech. Hard pass. Oh, that one looks good. Let's see. It's got real peanut butter coated in white chocolate. Okay, okay. White chocolate isn't my favorite. Oh, hey, smarty pants. Don't mind me. I'm just deciding what to get from this vending machine while I wait for my laundry to dry. Ooh, those Flamin Hot Funyuns look good. Maybe I don't want sweet at all. Maybe I'm feeling a little salty, Spicy, Oniony. Then again, I have been craving chocolate.

[Vinny]

Will you hurry up and decide? You're picking a snack, not a new pet. It's not that serious.

[Trusty Narrator]

First of all, it is. And second of all, who. Who's talking to me?

[Vinny]

It's me, Vinny, the vending machine, and you're holding up the line.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, sorry. Wait, there's no line. I'm the only one who does laundry at 4 in the morning on a Tuesday.

[Vinny]

Fine. I'm just a little impatient. Usually people know what they want in under an hour.

[Trusty Narrator]

Okay, okay, you're right. I'll take C11, please.

[Vinny]

That's not how it works. You gotta press the button.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, right. I assumed because you're a talking vending machine, maybe you were voice activated.

[Vinny]

I'm not. I'm just a regular vending machine. And I almost never talk. Except when someone takes over an hour to decide between candy and chips, which has never happened until today.

[Trusty Narrator]

Well, I am not your average customer. I am the Trusty narrator from WhoSmarted.

[Vinny]

Congratulations. You won a medal. Because I don't have any in me. All I got is snacks and an attitude. That too. And buttons, coils, a keypad, a central computer, an electromagnetic weight sensor, and.

[Trusty Narrator]

Whoa, whoa, hold on. That sounds way more complicated than I thought. Come to think of it, I guess I don't know much about vending machines.

[Vinny]

So what do you want? My whole life story.

[Trusty Narrator]

Kind of like who invented vending machines? And when and how exactly do you. Well, vend. And what are all the different types of vending machines?

[Vinny]

I see. So you want me to dispense knowledge as well as snacks.

[Trusty Narrator]

Is that okay?

[Vinny]

Um, the name's Vinnie the vending machine. And sure, I'm happy to hook you up for another buck 50.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, sure. Get ready. As we dole out another whiff of science and history on who smarted.

[Vinny]

Who's smarted? Who's smart? Is it you?

[Trusty Narrator]

Is it me? Is it science or history? Listen up, everyone. We make smarting lots of fun, but who's smarted? Hey, smartypants, Imagine a world filled with extra episodes of who's Smarted? Plus bonus content, all without any ads. Well, guess what? That world already exists. It's called WhoSmarted Plus. And for the price of a slice of pizza, each month you'll get extra weekly episodes and bonus content like SmartYQs, all ad free. Plus, you'll be supporting WhoSmarted so we can keep laughing and learning together. To get all the smarting and none of the ads. Sign up for WhoSmarted plus right in Apple Podcasts or go to WhoSmarted.com and click subscribe today. So, Vinnie the vending machine. The first thing I'm wondering about is how are these chips so fresh?

[Vinny]

Well, I tend to sell out pretty quickly, but even if I don't, someone from the vending machine company comes and restocks me, usually once a week unless I sell out quick. They also come to collect the money and restock the change.

[Trusty Narrator]

Got it. But let's start from the beginning. When was the vending machine invented?

[Vinny]

That, my indecisive friend, depends on your definition of vending machine. The first modern vending machine first appeared in England in the 1800s. But if we go back to the first century, to Egypt during the Roman Empire, there was a fella by the name of Hero of Alexandria. You could say he's responsible for what was likely the first vending machine.

[Trusty Narrator]

Really? So what was Hero's vending machine like?

[Vinny]

Well, it was a simple device that accepted a coin which would land onto a tray. The weight of the coin would then push the tray down. And the tray was connected to a lever. And the lever would open a valve, and then the item would just flow out.

[Trusty Narrator]

Flow out. Was this guy vending sodas? Not in a can or a puddle.

[Vinny]

Close. Holy water. Wow.

[Trusty Narrator]

Spiritual and refreshing. But I'm thinking Hiro's vending machine probably didn't look much like the ones we have today.

[Vinny]

Not at all. Like I said, those came out about much later. In 1883, to be exact. The modern vending machine was invented by Percival Everett, and it made its big debut in London.

[Trusty Narrator]

Hey, smarty pants, what do you think the first vending machine dispensed? Was it A, postcards, B, cups of tea, or C napkins? While none of them sound particularly exciting, if you guessed A postcards, you're right.

[Vinny]

Barcival's machine was a hit at train stations all over England, where Folks could quickly grab a last minute postcard and send to their loved ones. In fact, the concert was such a success that the machines started showing up in post offices too.

[Trusty Narrator]

Makes sense. What better place to buy a postcard than a post office where you can mail it?

[Vinny]

And it doesn't stop there. Once vending machines were put in post offices, they began selling envelopes and paper too. You put a few coins in the machine and boom, you got everything you need to write and mail a letter.

[Trusty Narrator]

Efficient. I like it.

[Vinny]

Yep, we vending machines exist to make life more convenient.

[Trusty Narrator]

I guess once people realized how convenient vending machines were, they started thinking of what else they could fill them with.

[Vinny]

Exactly. In fact, companies that already manufactured various products saw the benefit in putting their product in vending machines. That way they could make extra money selling stuff outside of stores. Even better, they wouldn't have to hire any new staff since the vending machines were self serve.

[Trusty Narrator]

Brilliant. So when did people start putting snacks in vending machines? I mean, that's kind of what they're mostly known for today.

[Vinny]

That happened in 1893. A German chocolate company called Stolwerk set up a whopping 15,000 vending machines to sell their chocolate. And since the company had been in business for 54 years, people knew and liked the brand.

[Trusty Narrator]

Chocolate and vending machines. Now we're talking.

[Vinny]

It was such a success, stalwarts started setting up vending machines under different company names and began filling those vending machines with everything from matches to soap to cigarettes.

[Trusty Narrator]

Oh, pretty sneaky, stalwart.

[Vinny]

The first vending machine to come to the USA was in 1888. But it didn't sell postcards or chocolate or matches or any of the stuff I've mentioned.

[Trusty Narrator]

Hmm, smarty pants. Any idea what the first vending machines in the USA sold? While you chew it over, I'll give you an audio hint. Did you say gum? Great job if you got that, smarty pants. But wait, an entire vending machine sold just gum?

[Vinny]

Yep, just gum. In fact, the machine was built by the Thomas Adams Gum Company. So what else were they gonna sell? Socks.

[Trusty Narrator]

Yeah, chewing socks isn't as fun.

[Vinny]

Ew.

[Trusty Narrator]

Pop quiz for you, smartypants. Where do you think the first vending machine in the USA was located? Was it A at the base of the Statue of Liberty, B at the White House, or C on a New York City train platform? What do you say, smarties ninny? Want to tell us the answer?

[Vinny]

The answer is C on New York City train platforms.

[Trusty Narrator]

Well, I guess that explains a long standing New York tradition of having gum stuck to the bottom of your shoes. Now, Vinny, most vending machines, like the ones we covered, sell things like chocolate, candy, and other snacks. But are there other types of vending machines the smarty pants might not know about?

[Vinny]

Sure, lots. Everything from books to phone charges can be sold in a vending machine. In fact, any machine that dispenses something in exchange for money is technically a vending machine. That means that ticket machines and photo booths are vending machines, too.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wow. I've never thought of it that way.

[Vinny]

Most people don't, you see, snack vending machines just dispense the item. But something like a ticket machine or a photo booth need to do a lot more work. They're producing something custom based on the information they're capturing, whether it's an image, which becomes a photo, or. Or the details of what train you're taking, which comes out as your personalized ticket.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wow. Those machines are doing a lot of work.

[Vinny]

I don't envy them. I like my job. You press a button, I give you a snack. Bada bing, bada boom. But some guys I know dispense all sorts of wacky stuff. Trusty.

[Trusty Narrator]

And we'll find out what right after this quick break and a word from our sponsors. Hi, guys. It's Trusty. Today's episode is brought to you by Squarespace. And I need to tell you about their new design intelligence feature because it's a game changer for anyone who's been putting off creating a website. Look, I know how intimidating tech can feel, but Squarespace's AI powered design system literally transforms your basic ideas into a beautiful professional website. We've used Squarespace to build websites here at Atomic, and what I love is that it combines AI tech with their decades of design expertise. You answer a few simple questions and it creates a fully customized site that actually looks good. No more staring at a blank screen wondering where to start. And no need to spend thousands of dollars getting a site designed for a passion project or experimental idea. Plus, their payment system makes it super easy to get paid for your services. Whether you're selling courses, booking consulting sessions, or offering downloads, they've got all the popular payment options like Apple Pay and CL Klarna built right in. Head to squarespace.com smarted for a free trial and use code smarted to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain. Today's episode is brought to you by IXL Learning. You know how every child learns differently. That's exactly what makes IXL special for every family. IXL is an incredibly flexible online learning program that enriches your child's classroom or homeschool curriculum with math, language arts, science and social studies. What I love most is how it adapts to each child's level. If your child races ahead in math but needs extra practice in reading comprehension, IXL adjusts perfectly to both situations. And here's what's really cool. Kids can explore any topic at any grade level so they're never stuck in a one size fits all program. Plus, they get instant feedback as they learn, which makes it fun. That's why parents of kids in traditional schools and homeschools have fallen in love with ixl. With IXL, you will make a real research backed difference in your child's learning journey. Our listeners can get an exclusive 20% off their IXL membership when you sign up today at ixl.com smarted visit ixl.com smarted to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Now back to who smarted. You know, I think I'll try that candy bar with the raisins after all. Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. Not bad.

[Vinny]

Okay, trustee question for you. Which of these do you think is a real vending machine? A vending machine for cars, a vending machine for live fishing bait, or a vending machine that sells life insurance?

[Trusty Narrator]

Whoa. Cars, bait, life insurance. They're all pretty crazy. What do you think, smarty pants?

[Vinny]

The answer is all of the above. They're all real. There are car vending machines in the United States and Singapore, and they can be as tall as apartment buildings. Whoa. The one in Singapore is 15 stories tall.

[Trusty Narrator]

That is one big vending machine.

[Vinny]

As for life insurance vending machines, they're a thing of the past now. But from the 1950s until the 1970s, vending machines in US airports sold life insurance policies to people worried their plane might crash.

[Trusty Narrator]

That's pretty morbid. No wonder they stopped doing that. What about the bait vending machines, Vinny? Are they just full of worms?

[Vinny]

They sure are, trusty. They're found in areas where fishing is popular, and some are so advanced they actually simulate rain for the worms inside the vending machine.

[Trusty Narrator]

That's amazing. But Vinny, how do all these vending machines actually work? Like between the time I put my money in and press the button to the time my snack comes out, what's actually happening inside the machine?

[Vinny]

That's pretty sophisticated stuff, Trusty. The first step is to put the money into the machine. It could be coins, bills, or A credit card. Remember before when I said I have an electromagnetic weight sensor?

[Trusty Narrator]

Uh huh.

[Vinny]

Well, if you pay with coins, the sensor inside me measures the weight, thickness and size of the coin to determine if you put in the right one. If you didn't, it spits it back out. But if you did, it allows you to make your snack selection or your car selection if you've brought lots and lots of coins.

[Trusty Narrator]

And what if I pay with a credit card?

[Vinny]

In that case, the card information is captured electronically. Then, after the machine accepts the info, you press the button for what you want. I'm programmed to know which button or series of buttons corresponds to which item. That information is sent to the central computer inside me, which is connected to a motor.

[Trusty Narrator]

And the motor controls those coil things that hold the snacks.

[Vinny]

Exactamundo. When the information is received, the motor turns the correct coil and your snack drops down. Of course, it's not always a coil. Sometimes it's a spring. And the spring gets released, pushing your chips out of the machine and into your hands.

[Trusty Narrator]

Nom, nom, nom, nom, nom. I definitely prefer the spring to the coil. I hate it when the snack gets stuck in the coil and the vending machine has my money. Then I gotta hit and shake the machine to try and get it out.

[Vinny]

Ah, yeah, about that. You should never, ever, ever shake the machine. Never. It's dangerous because the machine could tip over and land on you. Most good vending machines, like me, have a sensor that can tell you your snack never came out and you'll get your money back.

[Trusty Narrator]

And if it's a bad machine, well.

[Vinny]

Then you're out of a few bucks and no snacks for. Sorry.

[Trusty Narrator]

It's okay. There's a lot more to vending machines than I thought. It makes sense that sometimes something goes wrong. Say, where are vending machines most popular, Smarty pants. Any guesses? Call them out.

[Vinny]

In some parts of the world, vending machines are a really big deal. For example, in Japan, vending machine culture is huge. In fact, they have the highest ratio of vending machines per person anywhere in the world, with about one vending machine for every 23 people. That's over 5 million vending machines. Whoa. Japan even has a vending machine museum called the Sagamihara Vending Machine park, where they've got over a hundred vintage vending machines. And every single one of them actually still works.

[Trusty Narrator]

Wow. I gotta check that out one day. But no matter how many vending machines there are in Japan, or anywhere in the world for that matter, you're still my number one.

[Vinny]

Ah, thanks, trustee. And just for that, here's a bag of chips on me. I just need to shake them loose. Come on. Here we go. Almost got it. And there you go, trusty.

[Trusty Narrator]

Uh, thanks.

[Vinny]

Something wrong?

[Trusty Narrator]

Any chance I could get a candy bar instead? Vinnie? Vinnie. Vinny, you there? Vinnie? Oh, well. Big shout out to our pal Dayton in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. We're glad you love laughing while learning Dayton. And we love your suggestion for an episode on the invention of the high five. A big high five to you, smarty pants. This episode, Vending Machines, was written by Phil Funion's Jeremy and voiced by Matteo Pretzels Perotti and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound designed by Josh Hershey Bar Hahn who Smarted is recorded and mixed at the Relic Room studios. Our associate producer is Max Kit Kat Kamasky. The theme song is by Brian Sunchips Suarez with lyrics written and performed by Adam chex mix Davis. WhoSmarted was created and produced by Adam Tex Davis and Jerry Colbert. This has been an Atomic Entertainment production.