Forty Different Types of Machines Made
in the West
With 76 or more firms in the eleven
states that comprise the western territory
producing some definite type of coin-oper-
ated device, a better picture of the variety
of these products may be had by consider-
ing them under the various classifications_
. The best classification of coin-operated
devices now available is in the 1949 SOURCE
BOOK and in its Classification Index of
Machines there are about 80 different types,
not including accessories_ Firms in th&
western territory are producing about 40
different types of coin-operated devices,
according to the classification list_ There
is always some overlapping, in trying to
classify coin machines, but the fact that
40 or more types of devices are . being pro-
duced by western firms suggests the im-
'portance of the manufacturing industry
in this area_
As mentioned in the introductory artiCle
of THE REVIEW in this issue, western firms
claim special credit for their activity in
develqping and manufacturing apple ven-
dors, cigarette, ice cream, ice cube, movie
machines, pop corn vendors, coin radio,
shoe shiners, shuffleboard, scales, vitamin
vendors, wired music, etc., but that is not
alL The whole picture can best be realized
by considering brief comments on the 40
different types of devices made by western
firms in· the order of the SOURCE BOOK
classification index.
Apple Vendors-The story of vending
apples via machine is almost completely a
story of development and activities in the
western territory, spurred on always by
the great apple producing states in ' this
area. As mentioned frequently in our edi-
torial columns, apple vending has been
waiting somewhat on refrigeration services
that will make the best product available
for vendor sales all over the country.
Fruit-O-Matic is a refrigerated apple
vendor offered by Kold-Krisp Apple Serv-
ice, Inc., and the latest report from this
firm is that it is revamping its machine.
Other western firms have developed fruit
vendors but current reports on production
status are not available_
Arcade Machines-This classification is
so broad that almost any type of amusement
device can be used in arcades. The pioneer
firm of Fey Automatic Machine Co., San
Francisco, is still active and must be given
special mention in this list. Western firms
produce diggers, golf teeing devices, pic-
ture machines, post card, photographic,
voice recorders, target guns and other de-
vices well suited to arcade use.
Aspirin Vendors - Newest entry in this
field is the One-Cent Aspirin vendor, by
Ven-Dures, Seattle, dispensing 5-grain as-
pirin tablets. Tablets come in continuous
cellophane strip holding 250 tablets_ This
firm previously developed a vitamin vendor.
New aspirin machine was shown at 1948
NAMA convention.
Beverage Vendors - In the bottle type
field, two firms have made creditable ma-
chines for the bottling industry_ Vendolator
has made machines for one of the major
syrup manufacturers and the vendor trade
name is well known over the country.
American Vendors, Inc. is currently fea-
turing its American selective model 124 as
"the world's largest selling selective ven-
dor." The manufacture of bottle vendors
seems to be pretty well scattered over the
nation, but these two firms certainly give
the western district a place in the field.
In the manufacture of cup type vendors,
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10
the trend among western firms is decidedly
toward machines for dispensing hot drinks
and these will thus be considered under
their separate' headings. Carbonators Sup-
ply Co., San Francisco, has limited pro-
duction on a cup vendor for soft drinks.
Binoculars - One western firm offers
coin-operated type of instrument.
Bowling Games- Coin-operated models
of bowling games have had intervals of
boom periods in past years, and western
. firms have contributed machines that made
a national reputation. Such games are not
a feature at the present time; the bowling
boom yielded to the roll down tables and
more recently shuffleboard is in the lime·
light.
Bulk Vendors - The parade in manu-
facture of this type of machine is now
highlighted by the new Acorn vendor, re-
cently introduced by Oak Manufacturing
Co. The newly organized firm is making
rapid progress in the manufacturing field.
The Abbey vendors for peanuts, almonds,
etc., are already widely known.
Cable - A western firm rendered valu-
able service to music operators with its
initial offering ' of 30-wire cable.
Coffee , Vendors - At least . five firms
have developments in this type of vendor,
and are thus advancing this com paratively
new type of machine. One of the latest
firms to register with the SOURCE BOOK
is a West Coast manufacturer that has
developed a machine to dispense coffee
freshly brewed, when most machines in
the field use some form of concentrate.
The entire field of coffee vendors is ex-
pected to come up with some new surprises
as the months pass and there are enough
western manufacturers working on such
developments to play a big part in future
progress.
Candy Bar Vendors - The pioneer name
of Shipman heads the list in western offer-
ings of candy bar machines. The firm sells
a 3-column vendor at a practical price.
Cigarette Vendors - On this type of ma-
chine, western manufacturers are inactive
at the present time. Here, the western dis-
trict can only fall back on its reputation
of having contributed much in the early
development of such vendors.
Coin Changers - At least three firms
have entered the change maker field and
have current offerings.
Chocolate Vendors - Vendors for dis-
pensing hot chocolate have followed the
development of hot coffee vendors. It is
anticipated, from present trends, that manu-
facturers of coffee vendors will in many
cases also offer hot chocolate machines.
The idea of hot chocolate dispensers, how-
ever, has been greatly enlivened by a de-
velopmert, using the Saylor homogenizer,
to improve the quality of chocolate drinks
dispensed. This device is now being tested
and promises to be another original con-
tribution by a western firm.
Doughnut Vendors - Western firms can
almost claim an exclusive on current offer-
ings in this type of machine, and the ideas
are new. One firm offers a vendor for sell-
ing doughnuts wrapped in cellophane. The
most unusual offering is a fully automatic
doughnut machine that makes, cooks and
dispenses doughnuts after deposit of the
coin. The Nagel doughnut vendor is just
now getting onto the market. Western
COIN MACHINE REVIEW