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Blast from the Past: When a Slice of Pie Came From a Vending Machine
Remember automats? These self-service restaurants were the epitome of futuristic dining in the early 20th century.
Forget robot waiters – back then, the height of technological advancement was getting a piece of pie from a glass-fronted vending machine. Customers simply popped coins into a slot and voila – instant meal!
From sandwiches to coffee, automats offered a convenient and novel dining experience. Though they’ve largely faded into the past, these photos offer a charming glimpse into a bygone era:
- Kids and Pie (1950): Two youngsters light up with excitement as they retrieve their pie from the automat.
- Dessert Dreams (1936): A New York City automat displays its tempting array of desserts.
- Lunchtime (1957): A scene from a typical lunch at the automat.
- Sandwich Stack (1948): A customer stocks up on sandwiches.
- Late-Night Eats (1930s): A peek into a Horn & Hardart automat during the late-night dining hours.
- Hot Beans, Please! (1955): A customer gets their hot bean fix.
- Audrey Hepburn (1952): Even Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn was drawn to the automat’s charm.
- Horn & Hardart Postcard: A postcard featuring Horn & Hardart, once the world’s largest automat chain.
- Fruity Find (1920): An automat in London, England, dispenses fresh fruit.
- Coffee Break (Philadelphia): A customer grabs a coffee from a Philadelphia automat.
- Super-Sized Stockholm (1960): More grocery store than restaurant, this Stockholm automat held the title of world’s largest.
- Bargain Bites (1950): Refrigerated sandwiches offered a quick and affordable meal at just 25 cents each.