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50 Vending Machines That Were Designed For Some Very Specific Things (New Pics)
There’s nothing quite like sneaking out to a vending machine for a cheeky snack during a break. Whether you’re finishing up your extracurriculars at school, doing research late at night at university, or burning the midnight oil at the office, there is something mundanely magical about feeding bits of metal into a robot that spits out food. It feels like something that you’d find in an old sci-fi novel.
Vending machines are incredibly cool and convenient inventions that still blow our minds every time we start thinking about how weirdly retrofuturistic a concept they are. However, they have become so ubiquitous in our lives that many of us barely ever notice them anymore. Fortunately, it’s possible to change that in a heartbeat—all you need is a uniquely-designed machine that sells something unexpected! There are far more interesting things than just candy bars and cans of soda for sale, after all.
Our team at Bored Panda has collected photos of some of the coolest, most unusual, and downright bizarre vending machines from around the globe. We’d love to share them with you, so scroll down and upvote your fave pics, dear Pandas. [Ting, Whrrrrrr, Clunk.] When you’ve enjoyed this list to the fullest, check out Bored Panda’s previous collection of awesome vending machines right over here.
Bored Panda was interested to learn about customer convenience, automation, and the importance of the 'human factor,' so we got in touch with Matt Johnson, Ph.D., the host of the Neuroscience of Branding blog and the Human Nature blog. Johnson is a professor of consumer psychology at Hult International Business School and Harvard University, and the author of 'Branding that Means Business.' Read on for his insights about the trade-off that vending machines provide consumers, and why human interactions while buying things are still important to us, no matter how much we might love convenience.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Dallas Love Field Airport Offers Free Feminine Hygiene Products
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#2
This Vending Machine In Istanbul Dispenses Dog Food For Homeless Dogs When People Put Bottles In For Recycling
#3
Every Street Corner Should Have One
#4
This Machine Dispenses Food For Stray Animals Whenever Items Are Recycled Into It
#5
This Train Station In Romania Has A Book Vending Machine
#6
Taking Historic Architecture Into Account When Adding Vending Machines
#7
Sunscreen Dispenser On Sydney Beaches
#8
A Town In Serbia Started Using Recycling Machines That Also Feed Stray Dogs
#9
Waiting For A Flight? This Airport Has A Machine That Teaches You How To Give CPR
R 3 years ago (edited)
And how many people squeeze the boobs just for fun? (I never expected that my comment would get this many likes! But to straighten things up, Iām a woman if it makes any difference, squeezing boobs are not bad. Specially when itās important to search for breast cancer or just to release some stress. And cpr is a good thing to learn, bonus if one get to squeeze machine boobs. Boobs are boobs. I like them all. Female boobs, man boobs, machine boobs. I donāt discriminate. I like boobies)
#10
This Vending Machine At The Hospital Sells Healthy, Affordable Meals
#11
Cake Dispenser In Toronto
#12
Short Story Dispenser At Los Angeles Public Library Central
#13
Honey Dispenser At A Hotel In Japan
#14
This Feminine Hygiene Product Dispenser Gives Tampons And Pads For Free
#15
University Has A Vending Machine With All The Things You Need As A Student, From Sanitary Pads To A Powerbank
#16
LEGO Vending Machine! Chicago O'Hare Airport
#17
A Vending Machine Full Of Crochet Materials
#18
Pharmacy In Spain Has A 24-Hour Vending Machine Outside For When It Is Closed
#19
Most Tests Here Are Around 2-3ā¬ Each But We Also As Citizens Get 1 Free Rapid Test A Day From The Government So We Can Attend Restaurants, Events, And Gyms
#20
They Definitely Should Put The Baguette Machine Next To The Cheese Machine
#21
At The Cemetery In My Neighborhood There Is A Vending Machine Selling Grave Lanterns And Candles
#22
Japanese Vending Machines Adapted To The Surroundings
#23
So Cool, Forget A Birthday Late At Night? A Date? Flowers Always Ready
#24
This Butcher Has A Vending Machine For After Hours
#25
This Bakery In Japan Puts Their Leftover Bread In A Vending Machine To Sell After Hours
Marcos Valencia 3 years ago (edited)
My bakery donates. They don't have any vending machines and didn't updated their stablishment from the 60's. They don't even have a damn POS, so they are the only reason why I would have cash in my pocket. But they care. And, OMG, the smell at 7 in the morning...
#26
I Stumbled Upon A Cupcake ATM
#27
Succulent Vending Machine In A Nearby Mall
#28
My Workplace Installed Sunscreen Dispensers
#29
I Buy Honey From Backroad Beekeeper Stands. This One Was On A Georgia Dirt Road
Ericthedead 3 years ago
Couple miles from my house a guy has a stand in front of his house with all his honey products. Nobody ever working it itās just got a money box and it works on trust.
#30
A Cheese Vending Machine In A Mountain Village In Switzerland
#31
Vending Machine At The Oktoberfest Fair Grounds In Munich
#32
In One Village In Czechia, They Have A Vending Machine For Potatoes, AKA The Potat-O-Mat. People Can Use It To Get Local Fresh Potatoes Just By Inserting A Few Coins
The machine is completely automatic.
#33
I Dared To Dream That A Vacant Retail Space Could Feed Me
#34
Instead Of Sugary Treats, Fatty Chips, Or High-Calorie Sodas, A Vending Machine At This Elementary School Is Filled With Books
#35
My Hotel Has A Nutella Dispenser
#36
First Narcan Vending Machine In Austin At 4430 Menchaca
#37
This German Vending Machine Has Everything You Might Need During Your Hiking Tour: Pilsner Beer, Eggs, Goulash, White Beer, Aspic, Lemonade, And Goat Cheese
#38
My University Installed A Free HIV Test Dispenser
Ericthedead 3 years ago
HIV is another disease Iād like to learn I have from a Dr. Not a vending machine
#39
Milk Dispenser In Greece
Jane Thorne-Gutierrez 3 years ago
They have these in France and Switzerland too. The one in our village ( St.Genis Pouilly) moos when it is done dispensing the chosen amount of milk.
#40
Pretty Sure Most Of These Games Are Bootlegs, But I Just Thought It Was So Weird To See Something Like This At A Mall
#41
The Post Office Box Has A Vending Machine For Stamps And Parcels
Greenmantle 3 years ago
Australia Post actually doing something.... helpful? I'm blown away. Now let's hope they can improve their delivery services. Could've swam across Bass Strait, be dead, buried and had a memorial service in the time my last package took to arrive@
#42
This Sriracha Vending Machine I Stumbled Upon In Japan Today
#43
My Gym's Vending Machine Organizes Water Based On It's Temperature
Henrik Schmidt 3 years ago
In ONE degree increments? I'm impressed if that's even remotely accurate. Still a nice idea, though.
#44
My Local Library's Men's Bathroom Has A Tampon Dispenser
#45
My Hospital Has A Boba Tea Vending Machine. I Spent Almost Every Childhood Weekend In The Doctor's Lounge At Some Point And Would Have Appreciated This
#46
This Flip-Flop Vending Machine I Found In Sidney
#47
Vending Machines In Switzerland Sell Pregnancy Tests Called "Maybe Baby"
#48
A Supermarket I Visited In Germany Has A Bread Dispenser
#49
Germany Has Meat Vending Machines
Coryn Hope 3 years ago
Where I live in germany you are more likely to find a meat or cheese vending machine than an atm
#50
I Feel I Should Add That It's Sunshine Laundromat In Greenpoint. They Also Have Mad Pinball Machines
Danielle Ocasio Fast 3 years ago
Is that a "get out of h.e.l.l. free" card in slot 135? For just $5?!? (I honestly can't make out the last word on the top line, but I'm pretty sure it's not 'jail.')
#51
Hot Wheels Vending Machine, Canadian Tire, Edmonton, Alberta
Marcos Valencia 3 years ago
That would be a mandatory stop, when going to the supermarket with children... or without.
#52
Cough Drop Dispenser At The Chicago Symphony
Julie Snelling 3 years ago
This is a great idea I hate it when I get an annoying tickle at the theatre.
#53
Gas Station Near Me Has Local Honey Vending Machine Outside
SeVeRuS sNaPe 3 years ago
Me: Rapidly googles where this is. Starts up car. Me again: Okay guys, you won't be seeing me post for a while so TTYL.
#54
Strawberry Vending Machine. This Is At A Strawberry Greenhouse In The Westland In The Netherlands
#55
Spotted At The Paris Casino: A Cake Vending Machine
#56
Found This Pineapple Peeler In Madrid
#57
Just Like A Regular Vending Machine, But Everything Is Free. Just Scan Your Employee ID
Weasel Wise 3 years ago
These are all workshop supplies; they're obviously free but the employer keeps track of it all by employees basically signing out items.
#58
In Germany, You Can Buy Beer From Vending Machines
#59
This School Has A Book Vending Machine
#60
I Found This In A Restaurant In South Korea. It Is Mouth Wash
#61
Old Cigarette Dispenser Repurposed As An Art Vending Machine
#62
CBD Products In The Vending Machine (Catania, Italy)
#63
This Vending Machine Solely Dispenses Medications For Your Pet Falcons
#64
These Snacks Labeled By How Long It Takes To Walk Them Off
#65
Pizza Vending Machine At The San Antonio Airport. Cooks You A Pizza In 3 Minutes
#66
There Are Gyoza, Japanese Style Pot-Stickers, Vending Machines
#67
Emergency Footwear Vending Machine I Saw In Vegas
#68
This BBQ Joint Has A Gumball Machine That Dispenses Antacid
#70
I Found A Vending Machine In The Alps Stocked With Sausage, Cheese And Covid Tests
#71
Found A Cereal Vending Machine That Can Make Custom Mixes
#72
This Vending Machine Failure
#73
I Found An Egg Vending Machine
#74
Would You Use A Flower Vending Machine? There's One At Clapham Junction
#75
Found This Change Machine In The Gateway Arch Gift Shop Which Gives You More Money Than You Put In
#76
Champagne Vending Machine That Only Takes Coins
#77
Waiting To Pick Up My Dad At The Orlando Airport, And I Found This Cool Learn-CPR Free Vending Machine
#78
This Mall Has A Charging Station Where You Can Leave Your Phone There So You Can Shop
Alexandra Davis 3 years ago
The Bullring in Birmingham has one of these and in 30 minutes it had charged my phone full from 10% and cost very very little too! Amazing! I usually have a phone charger in my bag but lent it to someone and they didn't put it back, wish these were in more places.
#79
This Baskin Robbins In Gangnam (Southern Seoul) Has An Ice Cream ATM
#80
The Newspaper Thingies Look Like Villagers From Minecraft
#81
This Tiny Single-Use Pre-Pasted Toothbrush I Got In A Restaurant In Rome
#82
This All-In-One Meal Vending Machine In Malaysia
#83
Chicago O'Hare Airport Has A Cupcake Vending Machines
#84
I Found A Vending Machine That Stocks Socks
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
SOCKS! Quick, somebody give me money. I have serious pouncing to do,!
#85
A Very Diverse Vending Machine
#86
The Vending Machine At My Work Dispenses Cold Drinks From One Side And Hot Drinks From The Other
#87
My Local Biomarket Has Soap And Oil Dispensers
#88
Thereās A Vending Machine For Tools Where I Work
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 years ago
I hate places that make you buy your own tools to do your job. This is a new level of worker exploitation IU haven't seen before.
#89
I Have Never Seen A Pringles Vending Machine Until Now
#90
Oldschool Japanese Vending Machine That Sells Eggs, Onions, Kabocha, And Other Sundries
Ahni Alger 3 years ago
I know it's a reflection but it almost looks like cobwebs on the left side of the machine.
#91
This Bait And Tackle Vending Machine I Found During My Travels Today
#92
My Local Mall Has A Gameboy Pokemon Cart Vending Machine
#93
Fried Chicken Vending Machine In Hokkaido, Japan
#94
Meat Vending Machine In Kyoto
Carol Emory 3 years ago
Japan is riddled with vending machines. You have ones that dispense ramen, hot sandwiches and sushi.
#95
Japanese Loves Unique Vending Machines
#96
First Time Seeing A Nintendo Switch Vending Machine
#97
Cologne Vending Machine At The Rest Stop
#98
This Pencil Vending Machine At The Local Middle School
#99
Foot-Operated Vending Machine In Tokyo
#100
This Dispenser Of PokƩmon Cards Is So Cool
#101
A Flower Vending Machine In Copenhagen, Denmark
#102
Russia Takes The Worst Excesses Of Capitalism To The Extreme, So Here's A Vending Machine In A Mall For Buying Likes For Your Instagram Pics
Headless Roach 3 years ago
Buying friendship is not an entirely new concept. But yeah, this is even creepier.
#103
Vending Machine In Japan Selling Fish Soup Stock
#104
Itās Been Years Since Iāve Seen A Cigarette Vending Machine, And This Is The First Iāve Seen That Accepts Credit Cards
#105
In Dropbox's HQ, There Is This Free Vending Machine
#106
Hijab Vending Machine At The Mall
#107
Nothing Says Japan Like The Fact That Even A Beautiful Deserted Beach Will Always Have A Trusty Vending Machine Nearby
#108
24/7 Pizza Vending Machine In Finland
#109
This Vending Machine In A Seattle Bar Has Only The Essentials
Danielle Ocasio Fast 3 years ago
Is that Laura Palmer (B4)? Also... $1 for 1 pack of smarties? When there is a handful of candy (with at least 3smarties) right above for$2. This vending machine is bonkers.
#110
This Catholic Church Has A Candle Vending Machine
#112
There's A Donut Vending Machine In Minnesota
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 years ago
That's a lot of packaging for a doughnut. Printed waxed boxes? The box costs more to make than the doughnut. Stuff like this makes me mad.
#115
Automated Holy Water Dispenser Seen In A Church In Spain
#116
This Vending Machine Offers 50% Cashback With American Express But Only Accepts Visa And MasterCard
#117
In Addition To Vending Machines Dispensing Wagyu Beef, Salmon And Gold Bars, Singapore Also Has One That Dispenses Raw Squids
#118
A Pizza Vending Machine I Found In Lithuania
#119
In Germany They Have Sausage Vending Machines
Danielle Ocasio Fast 3 years ago
I thought there was a miniature house for sale (top left)... Took entirely too long to remember reflections exist.
#120
Just A Vending Machine That Sells Soft Drinks (Bottom), Snacks (Middle) But Also Adult Toys (Top). Found In Spain
#121
A Live Bait Vending Machine In Idaho
Ericthedead 3 years ago
My brother and I used to get bait from one of these at the lake. We had a crawfish left over so we put him in the aquarium at my brothers. He lived for 3 yrs.
#122
This Butchery In Germany Has A Vending Machine On The Outside. 24/7 Sausage
#123
This Job Site Has A Vending Machine Just For Cables
Ray Ceeya (RayCeeYa) 3 years ago
There's either a lot of cables in each pack or the cables are really long.
#125
Vending Machine I Found In The Gold Coast
#126
A Shoe Vending Machine?
#127
Just Spotted An Eyelash Extension Vending Machine In Hull, UK
#129
The Vending Machine At My Office Is Fighting The Good Fight
#131
This Gacha Machine Dispenses 1:24 Scale Models Of Propane And Propane Accessories
#133
Meet The UKās Saddest Working Vending Machine
#134
Vending Machine At My School
#135
Hannah Montana Fans Rejoice, Cincinnatiās Northgate Mall Still Has This Vending Machine Up And Functioning
#136
This Is A Cake Vending Machine That Sells Cake From The TLC Show Cake Boss For $10
#137
This Faux Vending Machine At A Small Texas Dinner
#138
I Found A Bitcoin ATM In Milan
#140
Vending Machine - Fish Tank Combo
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What do you think ?
Den Ver 3 years ago
These machines seem futuristic enough that I expected to see 'Soylent Green' in one of them.
ADHORTATOR 3 years ago
I live in a small town in eastern France and we have vending machines for Pizza, eggs, cheese and bread....
Obi 3 years ago
In Zürich, Switzerland there is a vending machine for junkies. They can buy sterile syringes and needles and what they need. No joke. Also some toilets in some trainstations have blue light, so junkies cant see their venes.
CrazyKnitter 3 years ago
While I don't really approve of doing some drugs, we should definitely be doing more to help those who are addicted get clean and safe highs. The stigma of our society is what causes disease and many of the problems. People need help, not judgement. But sometimes they are just not ready for the 'help' that is currently available... for a fee. Helping someone to get clean is a good step, but it needs to be the person's choice and it can't be the only help available. In addition, it really costs a lot (in America, where I have experience with friends) to get an actual good program. Anyway, rant over, help comes in many forms and should understand that.
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Den Ver 3 years ago
These machines seem futuristic enough that I expected to see 'Soylent Green' in one of them.
ADHORTATOR 3 years ago
I live in a small town in eastern France and we have vending machines for Pizza, eggs, cheese and bread....
Obi 3 years ago
In Zürich, Switzerland there is a vending machine for junkies. They can buy sterile syringes and needles and what they need. No joke. Also some toilets in some trainstations have blue light, so junkies cant see their venes.
CrazyKnitter 3 years ago
While I don't really approve of doing some drugs, we should definitely be doing more to help those who are addicted get clean and safe highs. The stigma of our society is what causes disease and many of the problems. People need help, not judgement. But sometimes they are just not ready for the 'help' that is currently available... for a fee. Helping someone to get clean is a good step, but it needs to be the person's choice and it can't be the only help available. In addition, it really costs a lot (in America, where I have experience with friends) to get an actual good program. Anyway, rant over, help comes in many forms and should understand that.
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