Ten Bizarre Things You Can Find In A Vending Machine - December 2009
1. Holy Water
Vending (or "automatic retailing" as it is increasingly known) has a long history. The Greek mathematician Hero seems to have got the ball rolling in 215BC, when he invented a machine to vend holy water in Egyptian temples.
2. Poetry
According to their website, Gumball Poetry is a non-profit literary magazine that publishes the best poetry it can get a hold of. But they publish it differently – into gumball machines.
3. Medical Marijuana
For over a year, Glaucoma patients in California have had a 24/7 option to cure what ails them. Marijuana AVM machines are protected by round-the-clock security guards, and offer a choice of five varieties.
4. Church Candles
It looks like there are cathedrals in Barcelona and the Canary Islands where you can light a candle dispensed from a special candle vending machine.
5. iPods
This little beauty was first spotted at Hartsfield-Atlanta International Airport in 2006. It stocks batteries, digital cameras and iPod minis. The machines spread to several other airports, and last year Apple placed them in Macy’s, because you never want to be too far from your favorite tunes.
6. Beer at the top of Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is located in Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park in Japan. But if you plan to scale the country’s highest peak, you don’t need to bring a six-pack to celebrate once you’ve made it to the top. There’s a vending machine already there to quench any and all thirsts. But please don’t get too buzzed, as you’ve still got a long climb down!
7. Tiny Works of Art
They’ve had one of these Art-o-Mat vending machines at the Whitney Museum for quite a few years. Made from recycled cigarette machines, they dispense tiny works of original art for five dollars a pop. There are 82 active machines across the US, and they dispense work from 400 artists. Perfect for the aspiring collector on a budget.
8. Live Lobsters (of course)
You’ve probably seen articles on strange vending machines before. And hopefully we’ve included a few new ones. But this has to be one of the classics – the live lobster vending machine. The idea of a claw game to pick up a live animal is strangely appealing. Can’t say it does much for the lobsters, though.
9. Rhinoceros Beetles
Speaking of live animals, Rhinoceros beetles are very popular pets in Japan. Young Japanese boys will collect them, trade them and have beetle fights. Vending machines offer male beetles for 300 yen, and females for 100. 
10. Fine China
Saving the best for last - The Passive Aggressive Anger Release is an interactive sculpture that lets you experience the satisfying feeling of breaking a piece of China into a million tiny pieces, leaving you content and stress-free.
If after reading all of this all you want is a great cup of coffee or tea .. please click here.
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