From affordable train tickets to world peace, readers have shared their ideal vending machine offerings in response to a question about what should be sold in these automated kiosks. The suggestions range from the practical to the whimsical, reflecting a desire for convenience, novelty, and even social change.
A World of Vending Possibilities
The question, posed by Sybil Freestone of Oregon, asked what should be sold in vending machines that isn't currently offered. Readers from around the globe responded with a wide array of ideas, highlighting both the potential and the limitations of current vending technology.
One reader, EddieChorepost, jokingly suggested "reasonably priced train tickets," a sentiment echoed by others who lament the high cost of travel. RobRoy1975 responded with mock disbelief, calling the idea "madness" and suggesting more fantastical items like angel wings and magic beans instead.
Global Vending Culture
Many readers shared their experiences with vending machines from around the world. Nancy Cadet from New York described the ubiquitous jidōhanbaiki machines in Japan, which sell hot and cold drinks. She noted that while the hot coffee is "terrible," the iconic Boss Coffee cans featuring a pipe-smoking man are too tempting to pass up.
Brutha was impressed by vending machines in Japan that dispense bottles of whisky, speculating that such machines wouldn't last long in other parts of the world. Balcke mentioned an anime about a man reincarnated as a vending machine, expressing a wish that such a machine existed in reality.
Food and Drink Innovations
Several readers highlighted existing vending machines that sell fresh food. Jane Reed mentioned machines in rural France that dispense baguettes and occasionally half-bottles of champagne. David Bridle from Essex recounted finding a machine on Germany's Baltic coast selling eggs and vodka, calling it "ideal for breakfast."
C0lumb1dae shared their experience with pizza vending machines in France, which allow customers to choose hot or cold pizzas. While not the best pizza, they found it a welcome meal when no other options were available. maryy described a vending machine in the Swiss Alps that stocked all the ingredients for raclette, including potatoes, cheese, and wine, much to the amusement of her Swiss friend.
Practical and Unusual Suggestions
Readers also proposed more practical items. 2opinionated suggested vending machines in baby-changing facilities should dispense nappies, wipes, and disposal bags. Ilikeicecream, a chemotherapy patient, requested new underwear, a suggestion that redstar1000 extended to include dark, cotton knickers for menstruating individuals.
Nerdvanian recommended psychology and self-help books, noting they are in high demand at libraries but often not returned. ArthurDalesWorldPeace suggested, perhaps ironically, that machines could sell world peace and cash, while SavoryCharacter pointed out that cash machines are a form of vending machine.
Technology and the Future
leadballoon proposed a "Santa Claus machine" – a molecular assembler that could produce any physical object from raw materials, drawing parallels to ribosomes in biology. This sci-fi concept, they noted, could even assemble other vending machines.
Goldgreen described small automated shops in rural France where customers scan their phones to enter, shop, and pay, a model also seen in Austria and Germany. IreneLavington suggested adapting refill shops for vending machines, allowing customers to bring their own containers.
Social and Environmental Ideas
deepbluepete66 envisioned a vending machine for charity donations, where customers could pay a tenner and receive a booklet about the charity. Pawscrosssed53 asked for kindness, hugs, and seeds for bees. SpoilheapSurfer proposed a machine for parking tickets, allowing drivers to pay without a smartphone.
The responses reflect a broad spectrum of human needs and desires, from the mundane to the profound. While some suggestions are whimsical, others highlight real gaps in current vending offerings. As vending technology continues to evolve, perhaps some of these ideas will become reality.
