[DemforBush]

I actually don't find most of these machines strange so much as pretty darn clever! It never would have occurred to me to have a vending machine that rents bicycles.

BTW, here's a link to a slideshow for all 26 featured vending machines.

I'm thinking about stealing that one that serves up Pilsner Urquell, btw. :-)

[USNBandit]

I liked the beer vending machines and hot coffee in a can machines in Japan.

Another interesting thing was the retail vending trucks that would cruise the neighborhood like an old style ice cream truck.

The beer guy played German beer hall music. I often had to suppress my glee as I ran out the door with a fist full of yen.

I didn't have nearly the same enthusiasm about the Yam guy.

[rlmorel]

I like the Lobster Claw...

"He goes to a better place!"

[irishtenor]

In West Seattle, there is a bike shop with a vending machine outside so customers can shop for tubes, patches, tools, gloves, etc after hours.

[ntmxx]

While in Malaysia or Indonesia can I get some Squid with that Kebob; and if in the Netherlands does the Porn Package have a coloring book./s

Although, if you do find a vending machine which dispenses Boddingtons on the pull, I’ll take one; would go nicely in the clubroom.

[KarlInOhio]

I've lost that tiny grain of respect I had for the French. A $2 per liter wine dispenser (bring your own plastic jug)? Do they make the rose like gas stations make mid-grade gasoline by mixing the two other varieties stored there?

And I had a hard time understanding this from Pennsylvania:

To offer convenience to shoppers, the Keystone State is now selling wine through state-run vending machines located at a few Giant and Wegmans supermarkets. First you must scan your ID and blow into a Breathalyzer. A state employee—watching remotely through a camera—checks your test results and identification, then approves the transaction. Or doesn't.

So you have to go to a state store (or now a state run kiosk) to even get wine? Even in the Nanny State of Ohio we can get our own beer and wine at the grocery (liquor licenses are more limited).

[the invisib1e hand]

[arthurus]

In a community a bit north of here in a more rural area there is a bait vending machine. You put your dollar in and get a box of live crickets.

[Roscoe Karns]

[ops33]

If you had asked me 20 years ago what I thought about a vending machine dispensing movies I would have thought that was strange, who would want to rent movies from a box. Now, together with Netflix, it has slayed the Blockbuster giant.

[ADemocratNoMore]

bttt

[Sarajevo]

I'm thinking about stealing that one that serves up Pilsner Urquell, btw. :-)

Ahhhh- the old days- Ft Knox 1976. The Chaplains office had a vending machine for beer. No Pilsner Urquell, but it did supply cold Budweiser when the shopette was closed.