Gumball machine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A gumball machine is a toy or commercial device, a type of vending machine, which dispenses gumballs, usually for a small fee.
Originally one penny, the standard cost of one gumball in the United States is one quarter dollar coin.
[edit] History
Although there were vending machines for stick or block shaped gum as early as 1888, the first machines to carry actual gumballs were not seen until 1907 (probably released first by the Thomas Adams Gum Co. in the United States).[1] Patented in 1923, the Norris Manufacturing Company produced their "Master" line of chrome gumball machines during the 1930s. These machines could accept either pennies or nickels.[2]
Founded in 1934, the Ford Gum and Machine Company of Akron, New York was another early manufacturer of gum for gumball machines in the U.S. The Ford brand of gumball machines had a distinct shiny chrome color; sales of gum from Ford gumball machines went to local service organizations such as the Lions Club and Kiwanis International.[3]
