Vending machines are genius.
Of course, Americans don’t have all that many options when it comes to vending machines. Most of them have some expired candy bars or the odd drink. But occasionally, you can find one with something truly amazing (or strange) inside!
Most of the time, the exciting vending machines are located overseas. Let’s take a look at some of the weirdest vending machines all over the world to see what people are needing, on-demand.
1. Fresh Milk
Ever sit around and think to yourself: “Man, I wish I could have some fresh milk, RIGHT NOW”?
Well, me either. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a vending machine for it though. At least in Russia.


2. Asahi Beer
A lot of other countries don’t have the same laws when it comes to alcohol. In many, you can drink in public and crack open a cold one while on the train or something.
This beer vending machine is in Japan.


3. Burritos
The Burrito Box isn’t a bad idea, but in practice? Who knows.
Does it heat it up for you? How does this work?!


4. Bananas to go
Bananas really are the perfect to-go snack. They have their own wrapper that’s biodegradable, can be eaten with one hand, and stores easily. This machine makes sense!
However, did they need the extra layer of plastic?!


5. Fish bait
Here’s one you could expect to see in the US, at least near a body of water.
Even if we didn’t plan to go fishing, we’d be eager to pop in some coins just to see what comes out!


6. Legos
This is a great idea if it has high levels of kid foot traffic.
You wouldn’t be able to pass by this thing without stopping if you have any kids with you from 2-10 years old.
Very clever, Lego.


7. Prescription medicine
Another one that’s in the US!
If waiting in line at the pharmacy is annoying, this may be the machine for you. Imagine being able to go up to this, get your medicine, and be on your way! A dream come true.


8. Flip Flops
Ever needed an emergency pair of flip-flops? I know that I sure have! It always happens at the beach and this seems to be the perfect solution to that problem.
It even comes with a sizing chart on the ground!


9. Best Buy Express
These are all over the airports. Is it overpriced? Absolutely. Have I used it? Absolutely.


10. Hot bread
This HAS to be an Italian thing, right? Like, this is the most Italian thing I’ve ever seen. Does it come with olive oil?
I’d be tempted to just sit near it and smell the bread baking.


11. Book dispensor
Using technology for entertainment AND education. See, this is proof that humans can occasionally do good things.


12. Vending restaurant
Is this the future? It’s an entire restaurant built from vending machines. No servers or wait staff, all self-served and vending. I, for one, would be concerned about quality.


13. Pop Tarts
Pop-Tarts have so many flavors now that it’s hard to keep track of them all… unless you have a vending machine JUST for pop-tarts. To take a play from the kid’s shirt in the picture, need I say more?


14. Sprinkles Cupcakes
Sprinkles is a pretty famous cupcake chain. Apparently, they needed a way to branch out without adding more stores?
The result was these super cute cupcake ATMs.


15. Umbrellas
See, this is good business. Getting caught in the rain and having an out like this for a few bucks is too good to be true. Is it a bit exploitative? Maybe. But you would rather be wet? I didn’t think so.


16. Portable chargers
Running out of phone battery can put you in serious trouble. These pre-charged packs can be bought and used whenever you need them! If you get stuck and need your GPS to get home, these can be a real life-saver.


17. Art-o-Mat
An Art-O-Mat machine is essentially a repurposed cigarette dispenser from back in the day that now contains original art pieces inside. It’s a genius and artistic way to distribute original content, with a classic flair.


18. Pizza machine
Is this even more Italian than the bread machine? Well, let’s think. I would say it’s LESS Italian because no real Italian would ever buy pizza from a machine.
This seems a uniquely American thing to me.


19. Convience store
Usually, we need to go into a 7-11 or some other convenience store to pick up emergency items (snacks, drinks, or supplies), but not anymore!
This convince store is totally built into a vending machine layout.


20. French Fries
This is, of course, in France. It had to be, right? Even though Americans invented the fry, it seems that France has found a way to make them even easier and more convenient to eat.
You can almost say they Americanized the fry!


The crazy part is that this just scratches the surface of things you can get from a vending machine! If you want to see some crazy stuff, Japan allows you to get t-shirts, pants, or puppies, all from a vending machine. Convenient, right?
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