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When you think of a vending machine, we tend to imagine a candy bar or perhaps row after row of bottled beverages. But have you ever seen, for example, a machine stuffed to the brim with blankets? We’ve gathered some of the weirdest and most interesting vending machines from around the internet.
We also got in touch with Lisa Yaszek, a professor of science fiction studies in the school of literature, media, and communication at Georgia Tech to learn more. So get comfortable as you scroll through, be sure to upvote your favorites and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

#1

My Local Community College Has Free Emergency Contraceptive Pills In The Vending Machines

My Local Community College Has Free Emergency Contraceptive Pills In The Vending Machines

LaUNCHandSmASH Report

#2

My Airport Has A Book Vending Machine

My Airport Has A Book Vending Machine

LeafSamurai Report

#3

A Cheese Vending Machine In A Mountain Village In Switzerland

A Cheese Vending Machine In A Mountain Village In Switzerland

SuspiciousLizardo Report

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Dragons Exist
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It looks like the kind of vending machine that uses an arm to grab it, instead of letting it fall

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Bart
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Evolene, Switzerland:-) It's my neighbouring village. It is really practical because the shops in the mountain villages close at 5pm on Saturday and stay closed on Sunday and holidays.

Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those glass jars in the top row... how do they get them out without them breaking?

Zorro The Bus Conductor
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a bit concerned about those glass/plastic jars on the upper row. Potential for a bit of damage. 😧

SlightlyTarnished
Community Member
5 months ago

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Yes! It's beyond the scope of the average American, which makes it even better.

Tamra
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What does that comment even mean? Americans wouldn't somehow understand that a vending machine could contain cheese, so that makes it better? Or that Americans don't have these, so *that* makes it better? Seems like you just wanted to insert some random bigotry.

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Bored Panda got in touch with Lisa Yaszek, a professor of science fiction studies in the school of literature, media, and communication at Georgia Tech to discuss vending machines and science fiction. Firstly, we wanted to know why this relatively old piece of technology still can feel like it’s from the future.

“Even though vending machines have been around since 1888, for over 103 years, I think they still feel like science fiction to us for three reasons. First, of course, vending machines are machines, which have been symbols of the future ever since the beginning of the industrial revolution in the late 1700s.”

#4

This Bakery In Japan Puts Their Leftover Bread In A Vending Machine To Sell After Hours

This Bakery In Japan Puts Their Leftover Bread In A Vending Machine To Sell After Hours

hello297 Report

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#6

A Local Farm Sells Eggs At A 24/7 Vending Machine On Their Driveway

A Local Farm Sells Eggs At A 24/7 Vending Machine On Their Driveway

BellisBlueday Report

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Don Slish
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They do this in Vermont with a Playmate cooler of eggs and a coffee can with a slot in the top

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“Second, vending machines embody everything we associate with utopian visions of a post-scarcity society, where everyone has enough food, shelter, and clothing: they offer us a variety of pre-made goods ranging from everyday essentials like ChapStick, fishing bait, and razors to little luxuries like chewing gum, makeup, and champagne to health product like sanitary napkins, condoms, at-home tests and first aid kits.”

#7

Grocery Store Near Me Has A Sticker Vending Machine With 90s Stock In It

Grocery Store Near Me Has A Sticker Vending Machine With 90s Stock In It

burnedflag Report

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#9

A Shop Repurposed An Old Cigarette Machine To Sell Local Artisans' Work

A Shop Repurposed An Old Cigarette Machine To Sell Local Artisans' Work

SaintSecular Report

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geezeronthehill
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Saw a documentary about this. North Carolina, I believe. There is a fellow refurbishing old cigarette machines, which really have no purpose anymore. Artworks, drawings, prints and so forth in packages the size of cigarette packs.

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“This is especially true of the most recent generation of smart vending machines that use sensors, cameras, and algorithms to detect preferences and tailor recommendations—these are machines that offer us the future with a human touch,” she shared with Bored Panda.

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#10

Baby Supply Vending Machines With Diapers, Snacks, And Parenting Essentials At O’Hare Airport

Baby Supply Vending Machines With Diapers, Snacks, And Parenting Essentials At O’Hare Airport

Klad_Steel Report

#11

Short Story Dispenser At Los Angeles Public Library Central

Short Story Dispenser At Los Angeles Public Library Central

nytel Report

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Dragons Exist
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I need this for my house, just hook it up to Wattpad or something for infinite stories

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#12

A Blanket Vending Machine At My Local Movie Theater

A Blanket Vending Machine At My Local Movie Theater

dontquoteme19 Report

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Bec
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I can't remember the last time I went to the movies, pre pandemic at least. Too loud, too cold, too expensive.

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“Second, we associate vending machines with science fiction because they have been prominent aspects of science fiction across media for nearly a century! For instance, fans of visual science fiction might know the baby vending machines of the 1930 Hollywood sci fi musical Just Imagine!, the suicide booths in the 1999 animated comedy series Futurama, or the law enforcement vending booths in Robert Findlay’s 2023 sci fi short film “Change Return.””

#13

Farmer's Vending Machines In Germany Offering Fresh Eggs, Potatoes, Milk, Jams, Jarred Meats, And Noodles

Farmer's Vending Machines In Germany Offering Fresh Eggs, Potatoes, Milk, Jams, Jarred Meats, And Noodles

pogogq Report

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#15

There Are Wine Vending Machines In Austria

There Are Wine Vending Machines In Austria

the_singingguy Report

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Barbara Wilcock
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Put it next to the bread and cheese machine, and the blanket. I have a ew home

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“Science fiction readers have likely encountered the all-too lively “Padre Booths'' and “Homotropic News Vending Machines” of Philip K. Dick’s “Galactic Pot Healer'' (1969) and “The Game Players of Titan” (1963), and fans of Japanese light fiction might think about the sentient vending machine protagonist of Hirukuma and Itsuwa Kate’s Reborn as a Vending Machine, I Now Wander the Dungeon series (2016). Meanwhile, tabletop gaming fans can purchase whole sets of resin vending machines for sci fi games including Cyberpunk and Shadowrun on Etsy!”

#16

This Life-Saving Vending Machine In Oklahoma

This Life-Saving Vending Machine In Oklahoma

Taikuus Report

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geezeronthehill
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is part of a harm reduction campaign. I believe the items are free of charge.

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#17

A Public Library Vending Machine At The Train Station. I Love This

A Public Library Vending Machine At The Train Station. I Love This

ToshiroBaloney Report

#18

In The Netherlands, There Are Vending Machines For Fresh Flowers

In The Netherlands, There Are Vending Machines For Fresh Flowers

Jonah_the_Whale Report

We also wanted to hear her opinion on what makes these vending machines interesting for people. “Vending machines appeal to us as modern people because they offer immediate gratification—we don’t have to make a special trip to a store or negotiate a range of interactions with other people to get the goods we want or need. This is especially important to workers who don’t have time to go off-site to get food or other necessities, travelers who are looking for specific goods or services while en route from one destination to another, and people in institutional spaces like schools, hospitals, and prisons that limit the mobility of their various populations.”

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#19

Put In A Coin And Get A Random Tattoo. I Was Surprised With A Tattoo Vending Machine Gift For Christmas. I Loved The Concept, And It Was Super Fun To Do

Put In A Coin And Get A Random Tattoo. I Was Surprised With A Tattoo Vending Machine Gift For Christmas. I Loved The Concept, And It Was Super Fun To Do

Ok-Force9281 Report

#20

Book Vending Machine At A Local Elementary School

Book Vending Machine At A Local Elementary School

SimonThalmann Report

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Max
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My sons school has these. Every kid starts the year with a few tokens and can earn more as rewards. So they don't even cost money. That means they get to keep the books instead of having to return them to the school library. As parents we can purchase books to include and they are labeled with an "in honor of" message. We did it for our kids birthdays or special moment. The kids love tracking each other down and telling them they picked their book

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#21

A Sock Vending Machine

A Sock Vending Machine

ZddZbg Report

“We also like vending machines because they can provide us with a curated experience: we don’t have to sort through hundreds of different options online—we get a reasonably sized selection that we can actually see with our own eyes before we make our purchases,” she shared.

#22

Heraklion Airport In Greece Has A Seed Vending Machine

Heraklion Airport In Greece Has A Seed Vending Machine

dutts303 Report

#24

A Fried Chicken Vending Machine In Otaru, Hokkaido

A Fried Chicken Vending Machine In Otaru, Hokkaido

Kafeen Report

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“Furthermore, if we are using a very specialized vending machine, we actually might well get more options for the product in question than we would at a general store where there are only one or two versions of the item we want competing with many other items. This can be especially useful when we’re traveling and we find vending machines that connect us with souvenirs and other unique items from the local culture.”

#26

Thongs Vending Machine In Melbourne

Thongs Vending Machine In Melbourne

lordofalldragons Report

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Missy Moo Moo
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Australian here - thongs (underwear or footwear) it’s the same principle. Strap between 2 protrusions

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Lisa shared some parting thoughts and suggestions. “My very favorite vending machines in the world are the Sista Sci Fi Book Vending Machines in Seattle, Washington and Oakland, California because they literally bring science fiction and vending machines together!”

#28

This Airport Vending Machine Sells LEGO Sets

This Airport Vending Machine Sells LEGO Sets

zredditz Report

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#30

Strawberry Vending Machine. This Is At A Strawberry Greenhouse In The Westland In The Netherlands

Strawberry Vending Machine. This Is At A Strawberry Greenhouse In The Westland In The Netherlands

stamilo Report

“The machines were created by Isis Asare, founder of the online Sista Sci Fi bookstore, which is dedicated to speculative fiction by Black women and nonbinary people. The book vending machines are Asare’s way of getting even more great science fiction into readers hands. I can’t wait until we get one here in Atlanta, Georgia where I live!” You can find more information about Lisa on her webpage.

#32

My University's Engineering Building Has An Electrical Component Vending Machine

My University's Engineering Building Has An Electrical Component Vending Machine

Jdbee23 Report

#33

Flower Seed Vending Machine In A German City

Flower Seed Vending Machine In A German City

crisprcaz Report

#34

My Kid's School Has A Vending Machine For School Supplies

My Kid's School Has A Vending Machine For School Supplies

felicthecat Report

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Barbara Wilcock
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I find this a bit sad that the parents or the school don't provide them. No child should have to spend lunch money on these

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#35

Pringles Gambling Vending Machine, The Cost Is Slightly Higher Than Buying In A Store But You Have A Random Chance To Get One, Two Or Three Tubes

Pringles Gambling Vending Machine, The Cost Is Slightly Higher Than Buying In A Store But You Have A Random Chance To Get One, Two Or Three Tubes

Little-Slime Report

#36

Germany Has Vending Machines For Meat Products

Germany Has Vending Machines For Meat Products

CaptainMcSmoky Report

#37

Vending Machine With Some Juice

Vending Machine With Some Juice

salshaindr Report

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Farnzy
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing compares to fresh squeezed orange juice. Upsets my tummy something fierce, but so worth it.

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#38

This Champagne Vending Machine

This Champagne Vending Machine

isellJetparts Report

#39

A Dispenser That Sells Local Cheese (Fromage) And Morteau's Sausages In The Train Station (Besancon, France)

A Dispenser That Sells Local Cheese (Fromage) And Morteau's Sausages In The Train Station (Besancon, France)

I saw that while waiting for my train. I tried a Comte cheese, and it was really good. I couldn't finish it, so I gave it to a random homeless dude (who gave it to someone else).

Stock-Account-5841 Report

#40

A Vending Machine For Bouquets In France

A Vending Machine For Bouquets In France

steno_princess Report

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Not Who You Think
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea if you need flowers during off-hours (visiting a hospital or a sick friend doesn't always happen between 9-5).

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#41

My Dentist Has A Vending Machine For Toothpicks And Toothbrushes

My Dentist Has A Vending Machine For Toothpicks And Toothbrushes

keneguy Report

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Bec
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mine gives me more freebies than I can use, so I usually collect them then give them away.

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#42

"Vending Machine Corner" In Akihabara Contains A Number Of Vending Machines Selling Strange Things Like Popcorn, A Tennis Ball, A Tube Of Carrots, And Mystery Boxes

"Vending Machine Corner" In Akihabara Contains A Number Of Vending Machines Selling Strange Things Like Popcorn, A Tennis Ball, A Tube Of Carrots, And Mystery Boxes

bradnicpon Report

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catastrophegirl
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

you can view the contents of some of these mystery boxes in this video. the writing on them is stories. apparently very strange stories. https://youtu.be/SPNfGihTQEc?si=4t2LXhKjEdvKRp98

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#44

Condom Vending Machine In Japan That Has "I Love You" Written In Many Different Languages

Condom Vending Machine In Japan That Has "I Love You" Written In Many Different Languages

Little-Slime Report

#45

I Found A Jansport Backpack Vending Machine In Mexico City

I Found A Jansport Backpack Vending Machine In Mexico City

nightfan Report

#46

Ever Been Walking Down The Street Needing A Bottle Of Soup Stock With A Fish Inside? Fear Not. Osu, Nagoya

Ever Been Walking Down The Street Needing A Bottle Of Soup Stock With A Fish Inside? Fear Not. Osu, Nagoya

duckbutcher Report

#47

This Pencil Vending Machine At The Local Middle School

This Pencil Vending Machine At The Local Middle School

wyn13 Report

#48

The Men's Bathroom In This Movie Theatre Had A Vending Machine For Pain Meds, Chapstick, Cologne, And Candy

The Men's Bathroom In This Movie Theatre Had A Vending Machine For Pain Meds, Chapstick, Cologne, And Candy

nowpleasedontseeme Report

#49

You Can Buy Crutches From This Vending Machine Next To A Local Hospital In Vilnius, Lithuania

You Can Buy Crutches From This Vending Machine Next To A Local Hospital In Vilnius, Lithuania

rvul.lt Report

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#50

Grocery Store I Live Beside Sells Ammunition Out Of A Vending Machine

Grocery Store I Live Beside Sells Ammunition Out Of A Vending Machine

roxzillaz Report

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Bec
Community Member
5 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just remember to take it out of your bag before you go to Turks and Caicos 🙄

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Note: this post originally had 79 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.