10 Fascinating Vending Machine Facts That Prove They're More Than Just Snack Dispensers

 

From high school hallways and hospital lobbies to busy subway stations, vending machines are practically everywhere. But beyond the familiar hum and blinking lights lies a world full of strange innovations, curious history, and downright bizarre trivia. These automated vendors have served up everything from rare sodas to holy water—and their evolution is as quirky as it is fascinating.

So grab your spare change—or more likely, your contactless card—and dive into 10 wild and wonderful facts about vending machines that go way beyond chips and soda.

1. A Mystery Soda Machine Vanished Without a Trace in 2018

For years, a strange vending machine stood quietly on Seattle’s Capitol Hill, dispensing obscure and vintage sodas for just 75 cents. Labeled only with cryptic buttons like “Mystery” and “?”, it became a local legend—offering long-forgotten drinks like Crystal Pepsi and Black Cherry Fresca.

Nobody knew who stocked the machine or where it came from. And then, one day in 2018, it simply vanished. In its place? A note that read, “Went for a walk.” Was it a guerrilla art project, a marketing stunt, or just an eccentric prank? The truth remains unsolved.

2. In Some Countries, Vending Machines Are a Gambling Loophole

In places where gambling is restricted—like Thailand, the UAE, and even parts of Japan—vending machines have found a clever workaround. Known as “mystery boxes” or “lucky boxes,” these machines dispense random prizes that range from cheap trinkets to high-end electronics.

The element of surprise scratches that gambling itch without technically breaking the law. However, some governments are beginning to crack down, citing concerns that these machines encourage gambling behavior in children and teens.

3. Coca-Cola Once Tried Surge Pricing… and It Backfired

In 1999, Coca-Cola tested a “smart” vending machine that changed prices based on the weather. On hotter days, the price of a cold Coke would automatically go up. The logic was simple: people are more willing to pay extra when they're thirsty.

But consumers didn’t take kindly to the idea. Some chose not to buy, while others took their frustration out on the machines themselves. The backlash was so strong that Coca-Cola quickly dropped the idea entirely.

4. Even Animals Can Learn to Use Vending Machines

Monkeys are smart—but did you know they can use vending machines? In Japan, some monkeys have learned to insert coins, press buttons, and receive snacks, often with help from curious humans.

Even more impressive? In 2018, crows on a South Pacific island were taught to use a specially designed vending machine. After being shown that inserting a piece of paper would earn them food, the birds not only repeated the behavior—but learned to cut the paper to the correct size. Now that’s genius.

5. They Once Sold Cigarettes Everywhere

Cigarette vending machines were once as common as soda machines. Dating back to 1615 in English taverns, coin-operated tobacco dispensers became wildly popular in the 1920s.

But as awareness of smoking’s health risks grew and age restrictions became stricter, these machines began to disappear. Today, they’re banned in most countries or only allowed in adult-only venues, like bars and nightclubs, with strict ID verification.

6. Vending Machines Existed in the Victorian Era

Vending machines aren’t a modern invention. In fact, the first modern-style vending machine appeared in 1883, designed by Percival Everett to sell postcards in railway stations and post offices.

By the late 1880s, candy and gum vending machines had exploded in popularity—especially in Germany and the United States. Even during Victorian times, the convenience of vending was already catching on.

7. 1 in 9 Coca-Cola Purchases Was a "Blank" in the 1950s

Coca-Cola’s iconic five-cent pricing lasted over 70 years—but inflation eventually made it unsustainable. Since vending machines couldn’t give reliable change, Coke got creative.

In 1953, the company floated the idea of a 7.5-cent coin to the U.S. Treasury. When that failed, they tried a workaround: making one in nine bottles a “dud” or empty. This effectively increased the price to about 5.6 cents per bottle, but it didn’t sit well with customers—and the strategy was soon abandoned.

8. Japanese Machines Are Built for Natural Disasters

Japan takes vending machines to the next level—not just in variety but in resilience. In a country prone to earthquakes and typhoons, some machines are designed to withstand natural disasters.

High-tech versions are now equipped with emergency supplies like food, water, Wi-Fi, and even defibrillators. In times of crisis, these machines automatically unlock their contents and offer them for free to help those in need.

9. Vending Machines Are Deadlier Than Sharks

Yes, you read that right. Vending machines kill more people each year than sharks.

While shark attacks cause about 3–4 deaths annually worldwide, vending machines are responsible for an average of 13 fatalities. Most accidents happen when people shake or tip over the machines—usually trying to retrieve a stuck snack. The machines, often weighing hundreds of pounds, can fall and crush unsuspecting users.

10. The First Vending Machine Dispensed Holy Water

The world’s first vending machine wasn’t for snacks or soda—it was for holy water.

Invented in the 1st century AD by Hero of Alexandria, this ancient contraption worked through a simple mechanical system. Insert a coin, and it would tip a lever, pulling a string that lifted a plug—allowing holy water to pour out. It was placed at temple entrances to prevent worshippers from taking more than they paid for.

Whether it’s dispensing snacks, soda, or spiritual blessings, vending machines have come a long way from their ancient origins. With each new innovation—be it earthquake-proof machines in Japan or monkey-operated soda fetchers—they continue to surprise and delight.

Next time you grab a drink or snack from one, just remember: you're interacting with one of the most fascinating pieces of automated technology in modern history.***