Automatic Age

12
AUTOMATIC AGE
By H
ubert
F.
February, 1938
M esse
to the playing field by some electrical force. This
machine looked very similar to the bowling
P R O M P T L Y at 2:00 P. M. on Thursday, Ja n ­ games of last year’s show, and which we under­
uary 20th the business activities of the 1938 stand are still very popular. Shooting machines
Coin Machine Convention were brought to a that actually shoot bullets were on exhibit to
close. Promises made by the N.A.C.O.M.M. offi­ supplant the ray rifle craze of last season. Vend­
cials of having a Show that was bigger and bet­ ing machines were noticed that would vend al­
ter than that of last year have been fulfilled. most any item an operator might think of. Hot
The individual operator, distributor, and jobber merchandise vendors which might be used for
attendance was far greater than former shows Potato Chips, peanuts or popcorn were observed.
could boast of. The Convention was well man­ A horoscope machine that actually talked, at­
aged. Uniformed ushers and Pinkerton detec­ tracted many onlookers. Bulk merchandisers of
tives were on hand at all times to keep the all types and descriptions proudly took their
crowds moving in an orderly and commendable place amongst the outstanding machines exhib­
fashion. Although the amount of business that ited. Representatives of candy, nut, and charm
the exhibitors sustained was not as great as concerns were on hand to satisfy the operators’
some expected, nevertheless the Coinsorter needs after these vendors were purchased. An
views the past convention as having been suc­ automatic picture-taking machine was also dis­
cessful.
played. Drink vending machines were seen that
A challenge was sounded to all exhibitors. would either dispense a bottled drink or a
This challenge was to manufacture machines mixed drink in a paper cup. Elaborate cigarette
that could profitably be operated in territories vendors that would be an asset to any location
that were closed down to automatic pay tables were on display. A selective candy bar machine
and even to novelty amusement tables. The was shown that would enable operators to util­
manufacturers were forced to conceive ma­ ize nationally advertised candy bars. Hosts of
chines that would be perfectly legal in every other machines, too numerous to mention, all
sense of the word and still have enough player answered the challenge that adverse legal con­
appeal to assure operators of a steady profit­ ditions created.
Of course, certain territories can use other
able income. The manufacturers answered this
types
of machines not mentioned above. Slots
challenge by exhibiting machines that filled
every conceivable type of operating need. A of every description ranging from beautiful
new and improved model of the old penny floor models down through the important coun­
shooting machine was displayed. Popcorn mak­ ter models were shown. The camouflaged ma­
ing machines were in abundance with many chines were present in the form of automatic
different models being shown. A striking ma­ payout phonographs, razor blade vending ma­
chine was noticed that modernizes the old time chines that could be operated on an award ba­
appeal of the arcade punching bag, popular for sis, etc. Counter machines with and without
so many years. New types of phonographs were automatic payouts were observed in very many
on display ranging from the beautiful elabor­ shapes and forms. A new type of automatic
ate floor models through counter and small con­ payout dice machine with only a single set of
sole models, and even including a phonograph dice was also exhibited. Many other machines
that operates from a strip of film. The revival of this type were on display.
Punch boards, jar deals, electrical accessor­
of the coin controlled billiard table was noted
ies,
locks, premiums, parts and supplies, coin
in the form of an English billiard game. A ma­
(Continued on page 26)
chine was also seen that held the balls rolled on­
A Challenge Accepted
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