You Really Can Get Anything Out Of A Vending Machine These Days

#1 The First Vending Machines.

During the early 1880s, the first commercial coin-operated vending machines were introduced in London, England and dispensed post cards. English publisher and bookshop owner, Richard Carlisle invented a vending machine for selling books, around the same time.

#2 How It All Started..

In 1888, the Thomas Adams Gum Company introduced the very first vending machines to the United States. The machines were installed on the elevated subway platforms in New York City and sold Tutti-Fruiti gum.

In 1897, the Pulver Manufacturing Company added animated figures to its gum machines as an added attraction. The round candy coated gumball and gumball vending machines were introduced in 1907.

Soon the cigarette machine and coffee dispensers were invented and caused a revolution in vending. The idea of the machine hasn't changed since then, but the items inside have. Take a look at some of the weirdest vending machines around the world. You won't believe what they've got to sell.

#3 Bicycles.

The Bikedispenser isn't just a clever name. It's a vending machine that actually offers bikes. Look for them in the Netherlands. A different version is sweeping North American cities, where you use a credit card to get a bike unlocked then return it anywhere there is a station, and your card is charged for the hours of use.

#4 Smart Cars.

Of all the bizarre vending machines in the world, this may be the most surprising. It's all made possible thanks to automated garages that hold 30 to 300 cars each. Cars can be rented for a mere $3.25 per hour, so anyone can have the convenience of owning a car without actually owning it. The electric vehicles in the machines have a top speed of 50 mph. Smart Car vending machines are currently operational in China and Japan.

#5 Baby Goods.

Happy Baby Vending has released a semi-useful line of machines for parents of infants and toddlers. Forget the diapers at home? No problem. Just swipe your credit card in the machine, and you're good to go. Forget the wipes, formula, and baby powder, too? This machine has you covered. It also carries snacks, toys, and other "baby essentials."

#6 Caviar.

You can only find the caviar ATMreally just a highfalutin vending machineat certain shopping centers in California. By "certain," we clearly mean ritzy. Beverly Hills Caviar keeps the machines stocked, and there's a big variety available. You can spend as little as $50 on this delicacy, or give the machine an eye-popping $5,000.

#7

#8 Fresh Crab.

There are a lot of weird vending machine items on this list, but it's hard to beat a machine that doles out living animals. This Chinese vending machine shells out fresh crabs on demand, so you don't have to go to the fish market.

#9 Fresh Eggs

You haven't seen it all until you've see a machine that dispenses, purportedly, fresh eggs. These vending machines are actually quite popular in Japan, where a bag of eggs (10 to 12 in each) will run you about $3.

#10 Champagne.

You've got the caviar. To complete the high-end snack, you'll need champagne. You've got to go to London to get it, but if you're buying vending machine caviar going to London may not be out of the question. Find the machine at Selfridge's, because you never know when you might need to celebrate.

#11 Quickie Wedding.

Concept Shed has just the machine for you and your insignificant other. The AutoWed offers a simulated wedding between two parties, complete with audio prompts, a pair of rings, and even a printed marriage certificate. Just step up to the machine, type in your names via the steel keyboard, and off you go to the land of marital bliss. The first prototype of the machine was placed in a museum in Michigan, and stores that carry the AutoWed are offered the added incentive of having their flyer or business card printed opposite the wedding "certificate."

#12 Ice Cream.

There are several company's offering ice cream vending now, this is one of them by Glica. However, MooBella machines are found only in the Northeast United States, for now. This amazing vending machine will create up to 96 types of ice cream depending on what you select. Use the touch screen to customize your order, and get a scoop for just $3.

#13 Fresh Pizza.

Next time you're in Italy and you're craving some real Italian pizza, go to the Let's Pizza vending machine. In just three minutes, these amazing machines create a hot pizza and you can actually watch as the machine makes it. Order margherita, veggie, ham or prosciutto. Each small, personal pizza costs about $4.50.

#14 Floral Arrangements/

Forget a special occasion? No problem. These flower vending machine are your answer. While catching on in supermarkets across the USA, they are very popular in Japan and other Asian countries.

#15 Full Service Convenience Store.

Australia is creating full-service vending machines dubbed "convenience stores of the future." You can get a little bit of everything here.

#16 Live Lobster

Meet The Lobster Zone. It's a lot like the claw machines you're familiar with, only the prize is a live saltwater lobster instead of a teddy bear. It features a thermally insulated marine tank, sealed in double-paned glass, and employs a pneumatic claw capable of dipping into water. Its target market is primarily restaurants and sports bars, and offers quarter-pumpers the chance to pull a live crustacean from the water and either have it cooked or cook it themselves.

#17 Swag Machine.

You've seen caviar vending machines and even machines that dole out champagne, but the world's most luxurious vending machine is in New York. It's at the Hudson Hotel, and it contains everything you need to look like a one percenter. It's got 24-carat handcuffs, designer jewelry and clothing, an $8,000 photo shoot, and a $10,000 Ferrari rental.

#18 Needles.

In an effort to reduce infections spread by needle-sharing, Australia offers these: vending machines that dish out hypodermic needles.

#19 Crack Pipes

Thought the needle vending machine was shocking, did you? Well, this one doles out crack pipes. It's in Canada, and it was put in place by a nonprofit organization in an attempt to prevent the spread of disease that comes from dirty and dangerous DIY pipes. Each machine has 200 pipes that cost a quarter each. The machines are refilled every five days.

#20 Medbox.

Thought the other vending machines were shocking, did you? Well, this one doles out prescriptions. It's for use in Canada and Britain, and will read your prescription and fill it. It also dispenses asprin, bandages, and other over the counter medicines.

#21 Amazon Kindle.

Amazon has launched its own Kindle vending machines. The Kindle Kiosk offers everything from the Kindle Fire HDX to covers, adapters, and other accessories.

#22 Noodles

Instant cup noodles aren't the healthiest of snacks but if you still have a hankering for ramen or udon, this particular machine in Japan dispenses a hot bowl of these noodles complete with meat and veggies. Yummy!

#23 The Cupcake ATM.

Satisfy your sudden midnight sweet tooth cravings with this heaven-sent machine by Sprinkles Cupcakes. The machines can be found in New York, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, and Dallas. Soon expanding to Canada.

#24 Fresh Salads.

Healthy and goodness, in a salad, in a jar, in a vending machine. Not all vending machines dispenses fast food. While we're on the subject

The same company also offers a Fresh Salad dispenser with bags of crisp lettuce, and a separate machine with only fruit cups in it. These are available in Europe only right now.

#25 Mashed Potatos.

We had to look at this a few times to be sure it was real. Turns out, it is.

Ladies and gentlemen, we give you the Maggi mashed potato vending machine from 7-Eleven.

In addition to Maggi's famous seasoning sauce, they also make powdered mashed potatoes and soups. On the off-chance that you don't have any hot water to mix with your mashed potato powder, these machines make it one step easier for you.