Vending Machine Wishes: Dream Items You Wouldn’t Want to Miss

When we think of modern vending machines, they tend to be quite mundane, offering the usual fare of snacks and drinks. However, imagine a world where these machines could be as creative and multifaceted as they are curious. Here, we explore the unique and even fantastical items people would like to see in vending machines, beyond the usual offerings.

Classic Automats: Harking Back to a Golden Era

There’s a certain charm to the automat, a concept that dates back to the early 20th century. These delightful establishments offered food and drink in a self-service format, and their resurgence has been a topic of interest. Some enthusiasts are indeed trying to bring them back, but it raises questions about the feasibility and potential job displacement. Despite the possible negatives, it's hard not to appreciate the concept.

Tantalizing Beer Vending Machines: A Global Desire

My trip to Germany sparked a desire for beer vending machines here in the United States. It's fascinating how different countries can shape our preferences and desires. Can you imagine pulling a tab for a cold beer just as easily as you would for a soda or candy bar?

Practical Vending Needs: Shoes in a Crunch

In a working environment where accidents, emergencies, and unexpected weather can be a concern, a vending machine stocked with essential items like shoes would be invaluable. Who wouldn't want to swap out their soggy shoes for dry, ready-to-wear replacements when the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse?

Reviving Cigarette Vendors: Nostalgia and Controversy

It's a bit of a controversial topic, but there's a nostalgic appeal to the idea of cigarette vending machines. I haven’t seen a functioning one in over a decade, and the last one I did see was in a small bar in South Carolina. The idea of being able to buy a cigarette at a machine is a concept that captures imagination, even if it's not without its challenges.

Higher-Order Needs and Wants: Beyond the Simple

Unique vending machines might not just dispense practical or tasty items. They could potentially offer items that fulfill deeper human needs and desires. For instance, imagine a vending machine that dispenses something as intangible as self-respect, respect from others, or even joy. These could be symbols of fulfillment rather than tangible goods.

Beyond the Ordinary: The Vending Machine as a Portal

Perhaps the most mind-bending idea of all is the vending machine that allows you to change your surroundings. Imagine inserting a coin and finding yourself transported to a place of your dreams. Personally, I’d like to use a vending machine to teleport myself to Japan, as described by CNN’s feature on lonely vending machines.

These vending machines could become portals, much like the magical portals in science fiction and fantasy, offering users the chance to change not just the contents of their pockets, but the very fabric of their reality. Could we see vending machines that not only provide physical goods but also emotional or mental wellbeing?

While these ideas may seem far-fetched, they highlight the potential for vending machines to evolve far beyond their current limitations. Whether it's a return to automat-style fare, the capability to change climates, or the ability to transport us to distant lands, the vending machine of tomorrow could be a truly wondrous device.