Question about wet coolers

[MaineT]

Ok, so I went to the flea market today and someone was telling me that he used to get cokes out of the wet coolers at the corner store way back in the day. He told me something that I just wanted to see if there is any actually truth to and I figure there is someone here that might know... He said that the wet chests were taken out of use due to sanitary reasons of having the stale water in public places and around food. I mean I can see that today, but back in the 40's for 50's this seems a bit far fetched.

[Creighton]

I can see that being the case. Great marketing gimick to replace old machines. CC is no slouch in that department.
There is also the post WWII trend towards pay and get your product on the go, rather than the corner grocery.
Gober has a coin-op outside the gas station making money 24/7. The grocery has the wet chest with kids nicking a soda now and again.
Creighton
   

[Kilroy]

There was also a wax bag available to put the bottle in and keep from dripping all over. They show up on Ebay now and then,

[johnieG]

They weren't sanitary because the owners never changed the water, they just "topped" it off, so you end up with a big wet swamp filled with coke bottles & with all those dirty hands touching the water to-boot...you get the picture.