VENDING MACHINES AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT ALONGSIDE TECHNOLOGY

Modern vending machines were first introduced to the world in London in the early 1880s as a means of dispensing post cards. Throughout the years, vending machines have evolved to meet the ever-changing needs of patrons. Read below for some of the changes that vending machines have undergone over the years:

Product: One major change in vending machines are the products that they dispense. Drinks, snacks and candy have been the standard fare in America for years. However, in the past, cigarettes, stamps and postcards, as mentioned above, were dispensed using vending machines. Today, vending machines offer healthy food options for individuals wishing to make better food choices. This could include mini vending machines that offers fruit or combo drink snack machines that offer healthy snacks and waters. In addition to the changes in the type of food being dispensed, there are now vending machines that provide access to office supplies, medical supplies and many other items that were never dispensed using a vending machine in the past.

Payment type: In addition to product options, vending machines have also changed the way in which patrons can pay for products. In today’s cash-less society, many individuals do not carry dollar bills or change. To meet this need, vending companies have installed cashless payment applications that allow patrons to pay using their credit or debit card. The information above reveals how the vending machine industry has changed to keep up with products patrons want and to allow them to pay in ever-changing methods.