What don't they sell to Germans in vending machines – even regional products
It is believed that the first such machine was invented by the ancient Greek engineer Hero of Alexandria for holy water. In 1615, the first tobacco vending machines appeared in England, and in 1883, postcard machines. Deutsche Welle reports on what is now offered to Germans contactlessly and around the clock.
Maskomat
In 2020, "maskomats" – vending machines for protective masks – appeared in Germany (and elsewhere). For example, in the Berlin subway. However, during the coronavirus pandemic, various other vending machines are also in demand, as they allow people to buy products and various items while avoiding direct human contact, as well as around the clock and on weekends.
Gnome-o-mat
What new or unusual vending machines have German media reported on recently and in past years? Let's start with typical symbols of bourgeois happiness and coziness – garden gnomes. Such a "gnome-o-mat" was installed a couple of years ago near his home by Sven Berrar, the owner of a very large collection of these gnomes, from Völklingen in Saarland.
Pizza-mat
Feeling hungry? Round-the-clock pizza is for you! Such "pizza-mats" were already available in Germany before, but during the pandemic, as reported by the dpa news agency, sales through them increased. One of them, for example, is installed in Bavarian Augsburg. It holds 80 semi-finished products of two types, which it bakes in just three minutes!
Mushroom-o-mat
A kind of coronavirus-era novelty is the "mushroom-o-mat" vending machine, installed in Offenbach, Hesse, near a mushroom farm that usually supplies its products to prestigious restaurants. But due to the pandemic, demand has plummeted, so they are trying to sell at least part of the harvest on site.
Sausage-o-mat
Finally, we get to meat, so beloved by many Germans, especially in the summer season. Such food vending machines, of course, are subject to strict requirements. One "sausage-o-mat," or rather a "box," was set up this spring near his shop by butcher André Mölmer from Leipzig to serve customers: contactlessly, around the clock, and on weekends.
There would be enough photos of various "sausage" and "meat-o-mats" for a separate gallery. One of them, for example, is installed in Fehlefanz, Brandenburg, to sell products from a local farm that raises buffalo.
Wine-o-mat
Let's move on to German winemakers and "wine-o-mats." Volker Griebel from Bockenheim in the Palatinate region also decided to offer his products around the clock. To avoid unnecessary questions, we note that vending machines for tobacco products and alcohol in Germany must be equipped with age verification systems.
Milk-o-mat
In Saxon Kitzen, however, no one cares about the age of buyers, because a "milk-o-mat" is installed there. It offers fresh milk (Rohmilch) with a fat content of 3.6 to 4 percent on tap around the clock. It is untreated and must be boiled before consumption.
Such machines in Germany are often also called "milk filling stations" (Milchtankstellen). A liter of fresh milk costs one euro. This is more expensive than in a store, but by buying here you directly support a specific farmer, because wholesale purchase prices, unfortunately, allow many livestock farmers to barely make ends meet.
Potato-o-mat
In the municipality of Elbingen (Rhineland-Palatinate), a "potato-o-mat" awaits passersby around the corner. Potatoes bought. What else is needed for complete culinary happiness at home?
Egg-o-mat
Fresh eggs, so to speak, straight from happy laying hens, can be purchased at "egg-o-mats" in Meerbusch (North Rhine-Westphalia). Any such machines allow farmers to sell products directly where it does not make sense to keep a whole store on the farm.
Why shop in different places? In Germany, automatic minimarkets are currently trending: "regiomats" with agricultural products from local producers, cows, chickens, bees, and so on. In Falkenberg, Brandenburg, customers can buy not only milk but also honey, eggs, sausage, butter, and so on from the machine.
Prayer-o-mat
From daily bread to spiritual food. Several years ago, an interfaith "prayer-o-mat" was placed as an experiment at Stuttgart Airport. It was created according to a design by Berlin artist Oliver Sturm. Inside, you can listen to one or more of the 300 available prayers in 65 languages.
Art-o-mat
Want to invest in art urgently? Residents and guests of the Lower Saxon town of Osterode in the Harz region can fulfill this wish using the local "art-o-mat" for just four euros. You toss in coins and pull out a small box containing an object of beautiful investment.
Hemp-o-mat
What do you think is loaded into the green vending machine located near the entrance to a pub in the oldest German city – Trier (Rhineland-Palatinate)? They sell various legal hemp products there, as well as accessories for their use. These products do not have a psychoactive effect.
Anti-tick-o-mat
Going for a walk in the forest but forgot tick repellent? Due to climate warming, there are more and more ticks in German forests. Therefore, such a "repellent-o-mat" or "anti-tick-o-mat" was installed for tourists in the Harz region. For one euro, you can treat your clothing and exposed skin with a liquid that repels dangerous insects.
Bike-tube-o-mat
Bicycle tires have a habit of puncturing and deflating at the most inconvenient moments. If this happens on a Sunday or after specialized shops and workshops have closed, you can buy a replacement at a "bike tube vending machine." One such machine is installed in the Euskirchen district in North Rhine-Westphalia. Happy is the one who knows how to fix everything themselves.
Joke Machine
Riding a bike is healthy, but laughter is also good for your health! So at a vending machine in Dortmund (North Rhine-Westphalia), for 20 cents you can buy a ball of good mood, inside which a joke or a funny question is printed on a paper strip. As the owner of this "joke machine" said, one grandmother even bought 20 jokes at once for her grandson. That will be a very healthy child!