10 completely crazy vending machines
The so-called vending machines are those machines found in malls and subway stations that are always ready to deliver some product by inserting banknotes and coins. And though they are still popular today, the first idea of creating a vending machine came about in the first century AD, invented by mechanical engineer Heron of Alexandria.
According to Smithsonian magazine, at that time, the faithful were taking more holy water than they should, so it was necessary to invent a form of control for the sale. So Heron created a mechanism that was triggered by the deposit of a coin. The money, falling into the box, triggered a lever that released the liquid, and as the container filled, the coin moved from above the lever, causing only the correct amount to be delivered to the buyer.
Centuries later, this type of machine became very popular, and today it sells not only water (bottled, not holy), but also candy, chips, books, eggs and even live crabs. Doubt? Well then, check out the list below!
1. Baguette Bread
Woke up for breakfast and have no bread? If you live in France, that's no problem. Just pick up your change, find a baguette vending machine, and buy fresh, human-free bread, great for those people who wake up in a bad mood.
The idea comes from Jean-Louis Hecht who, to guarantee the fresh bread, inserts the pre-baked product for the customer, and the process is finished only when the customer deposits the money.
2. Gold Bars (worth more than money)
Your plane just landed in Germany and you felt that uncontrollable urge to buy gold bars? Look well, as there may be a Gold-to-Go vending machine near you. However, experts guarantee that the price is good for people looking for a gift, but not for those who want to invest, as it is possible to trade gold for a lower value in the specialized market.
And since storing gold bars inside such a machine can raise numerous safety incidents, the structure of the gold bar machine is greatly enhanced with specialized steel and even kevlar to ensure the integrity of the precious metal.
3. Ballet shoes
Dancing all night in uncomfortable or high-heeled shoes can yield calluses, blisters and other injuries. So two British companies have decided to invest in an innovative idea: instead of going barefoot from the nightclubs, women can buy sneakers at vending machines dedicated to this lode.
Each pair of shoes sells for around $ 17, and the shoes are available in at least four colors: silver, gold, black and pink. In the case of products sold by Afterheels, the product is made of natural material and completely recyclable outsole, also supporting sustainability.
4. Erotic Products
Not to let customers down (tudum-paddle), a motel in South Korea's Gyeongju region provides an alternative to when something goes wrong on its guests' romantic night: a vending machine full of erotic products that can be bought without any embarrassment.
Although the camera photographed by Laura Walker bears the words “Green Love, ” we find no evidence that their products are sustainable or at least recyclable. Either way, the audience may not care about that.
5. Marijuana
Well, since we got into the underworld of vending machines, it's worth mentioning, too, the medical marijuana vending machine. According to inventor Vincent Mehdizadeh, this vending machine could offer security, privacy and even a discount to patients suffering from chronic pain, loss of appetite and other symptoms that can be treated with the drug.
But do not think that anyone can buy the product of this vending machine . To do this, it is necessary, in addition to a prepaid card, that the customer identify with their fingerprint and be registered in the database of people authorized to use marijuana as a medical treatment.
6. Board Games
Turning now to the innocent world of vending machines, there is no denying the geek appeal of this machine that specializes in selling board games. It is a shame that it is only available in Japan, as prices look similar to those in Brazilian stores. The equivalent of our Real Estate Bank, for example, costs 3, 000 yen, or $ 67.
7. Live Beetles
Usually, children like to catch live insects for fun. In Japan, this is an ancient tradition and serves as a way of teaching early grades students about nature. However, with the city growing where there were once forests, the game began to be facilitated by vending machines that deliver the still alive pet to those who deposit the money in the machine.
8. Live Crabs
Everyone knows that seafood should be eaten fresh. Therefore, a vending machine with this type of merchandise should take into account the health of the consumer and sell the highest quality products possible. And since we're talking about animals, why not provide them alive?
In Nanjing, China, one of these machines sells live crabs to citizens who need to bring dinner home. Located in a subway station, the machine surprised even locals, who at the opening used to look curiously at crustaceans and even take pictures of the point of sale.
9. Passive Aggressive Aggression
In soap operas it is common to see that during fights or stressful situations, people love to break dishes on the floor or wall. In addition, a very common behavior not only in fiction but also in real life, is the so-called passive-aggressive, that is, a negative attitude often disguised as the famous indirect updates on Facebook.
Thus, the duo of artists Ronnie Yarisal and Katja Kublitz created an interactive sculpture at least funny: a vending machine in which, by depositing a coin, releases a piece of crockery that shatters inside the machine itself. Let's say it's a classier version of the fights seen on TV.
10. Live fishing lures
If weekend fishermen used to catch worms in the backyard before leaving for the river, in concrete-filled urban centers this situation gets a little more complicated to solve. So why not adapt this practice to today's routine?
Therefore, nothing is simpler than a vending machine full of live bait that can be bought quickly for a few dollars. It is a pity that the riverbank has not taken, to make it even closer to the fishermen.
