SMC Discussion Areas

Hey all, bit of an odd question here. Do you guys know of any books written regarding the evolution of Coke/Pepsi machines? I'm required to write a research paper on an American Arts piece (furniture, glass, pottery, etc.) and thought it would be pretty fun to do one on a vending machine. Something like how they went from round top, to square, to plastic models, all the way to things like Freestyle.

Tom 

Nope. sorry

Just a question.
If you're asking about a book on the evolution of vending machines because you want to do research, so that you could write a research paper on the evolution of vending machines.... what's the point?

Are you asking if one exists for you to read?
If one does exist, scratch off the authors name and put yours on it and hand it in lol

Here is a previous post for a neat little sight, you might find some information for your paper there.

( http://soda-machines.com/discussions/index.php/topic,15941.0.html )

Well, as much as I like to think I am a good writer, I doubt it would pass for actually being a published book. As for your question though, yes, I am looking for a book to reference in my paper (we're required to have sources). Trust me, if it were that easy, I'd do it lol

Thanks for the link, I'm going to run the idea by him and see what he says

I would think that the Jeff Walters Book would be a good reference.  There are also trade journals for the vending industry that date back many years.  Those would be a good resource to research trends in machine design and function.

It will be interesting to see what you come up with.

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

I think there is a book out there called "The Silent Salesman", which is not specifically about soda machines, but coin-op in general.
Good Luck!

Don't see any reason why you couldn't cite any information gleaned from SMC as a source.
Creighton

Ya, they like to see message boards and blog sites referenced as much as Wikipedia!!!   :tounge:

Yeah Jeff Walter's book would be good... don't think it has much on evolution of the machine.. but it does have some of the earliest models
showing use of cooler/machine placement in the store or station and impulse buying. Like the counter coolers beside the register area.

You may be writing the the first paper ever!  Good Luck and don't wait till the last minute to write it! :smile:

And yes... Any questions throw them our way here.. a lot of knowledge on this board.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I'll have to look into the books you guys talked about. By all means, keep them coming though!

>>Ya, they like to see message boards and blog sites referenced as much as Wikipedia!!!     
 
Been 25 years since I had to write a paper but what would be the issue with a dedicated message board?
Understand Blogs and get it wrong pedia.
Thanks!
Creighton

 

I think it's just the fact that while authors have to go through the steps to get their work(s) published and show where they got their information, "anyone" can sign up to a message board and post whatever they want, with the possibility of no one calling them out on their wrong info.

I do see what you mean though

I was thinking more along the lines of using the SMC database of what machine appeared when.
It would take some time to sort. But think the progression is there.

Hope the task goes well and please post the paper if so inclined.

Thanks!
Creighton

 

    Walters and Ebners books would both be good sources to name. A thourough understanding of them could lead to creating some very interesting reading material.
   
    Summary: Started with wooden barrel sawed in half filled with ice, then wood coolers, then metal coolers with embossed lettering, water circulators, air circulators , coin operated spintops, upright machines, single vend then multivend, crank handle coin mech.'s then electrics, square corner shelf machines then the can stacks, etc.

It would also make sense to contact Vendo as they are still in business.  I suspect that they would have a ton of historical information in their company archives.  The Coca Cola museum as well.  I know (according to the family stories that I have heard) my wife's grandfather was one of the earlier proponents of placing Coke machines at gas stations--at least in the downriver area of Metropolitan Detroit.

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

Well, I just got the preliminary okay to write about the machines. I have to talk to him tomorrow to get final approval, which means I'll probably try and put something together tonight. If anyone can think of more sources to contact/use, by all means, throw them at me.

Tom

Got final approval today. Already sent out emails to Coke, Westinghouse, and Vendo. I would have sent one to Cavalier too but I found out they went out of business in 2000, that's too bad. I'm not sure what to expect response wise but I think it would be pretty cool to get responses from the makers themselves, talk about a primary source!