Vending machines - Business English

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Definition of Vending Machine History Types of Vending Machines Advantages and Disadvantages Most Unusual Vending Machines Bibliography A vending machine is a machine which dispenses items such as snacks, beverages, alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, consumer products and even gold and gems to customers automatically, after the customer inserts currency or credit into the machine. The main point of a machine is to "sell" drinks without anyone having to take care of the customer. History Vending Machines today have incredible variety. A person can buy just about anything from them and we see them in numerous locations. They are a standard part of our culture and we enjoy the convenience and ease of use that they provide. The first reference to a vending machine is in the work of Hero of Alexandria, a first-century engineer and mathematician. His machine accepted a coin and then dispensed water. When the coin was deposited, it fell upon a pan attached to a lever. The lever opened a valve which let some water flow out. The pan continued to tilt with the weight of the coin until it fell off, at which point a counterweight snapped the lever up and turned off the valve. It was only in the early 1880s that the first modern coin-operated vending machines were introduced to dispense post cards in London, England. In 1888, the Thomas Adams Gum Company introduced the first vending machine in the U.S. that dispensed gum. A coin-operated restaurant was invented in 1902 by Horn and Hardart Baking Company in Philadelphia. In 1905, the United States Post Office introduced the first automated stamp vending machines. In the early 1920′s, the vending machines started to dispense sodas into cups. Meanwhile, in 1926, William Rowe invented the first cigarette vending machine. In 1937, The Vendolator Co in Fresno, CA introduced the first Coca-Cola bottle vending machines and in 1946, the first coffee vending machines were introduced and became popular for their use for coffee breaks. The first vending machines to dispense refrigerated sandwich were introduced in 1950. ...