Vend-Lend Timeline: The History of Innovative Vending
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215BC:
Greek mathematician Hero invented self-service machine to vend temple holy water.
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1731:
Benjamin Franklin founded the Library Company of Philadelphia, America's 1st "Lending Library" and predecessor of free public library movement that followed.
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1880s:
1st commercial coin-operated vending machines introduced in London to dispense post cards.
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1888:
Thomas Adams Gum Co. introduced 1st vending machines to U.S. selling Tutti-Fruiti gum; installed on New York City's elevated subway platforms.
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1907:
Gumball vending machines were introduced.
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1920s:
1st automatic vending machines dispense sodas into cups.
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1926:
Cigarette vending is invented.
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1930s:
Chilled bottled soft drink machines are invented, followed by 1st Coca-Cola bottle vending machine.
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1946:
The invention of the first coffee vending machines.
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1960:
1st single-cup coffee vending machines come to market.
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1961:
Canned soda machines are introduced.
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1972:
Polyvend introduces 1st glass front machines.
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1978:
Machines that dispense water are introduced.
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1981:
The "talking" vending machines were invented.
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1987:
1st frozen food vending machines are introduced.
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1988:
Bean-grinders available in coffee machines.
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1980s:
Internet cafes are introduced, becoming popular overseas.
Computing labs are introduced in K-12, Higher Education and other institutional settings (e.g. libraries) to provide greater computer access for its respective stakeholders.
Kinko's (now called FedEx Office) introduces concept of renting "work time" at desktop computers for software and internet access among other services.
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1990s:
Car-sharing programs are introduced.
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2000s:
Introduction of laptop lending on college campuses.
Introduction of public broadband networks (Wi-Fi).
Introduction of wide range of electronic kiosks.
Introduction of supply vending machines for range of goods.
Introduction of electronic laundry machines.
Introduction of cashless vending and telemetry (i.e. internet).
Introduction of DVD rental machines.
Introduction of iPod dispensing machines.
Introduction of PC Dispensing Stations including:
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