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Do you remember these Coca-Cola machines? I do! Along with several other models, my friends and I put a lot of dimes (10 cents for those of you outside the U.S.) into these machines on hot summer days. Recently, I saw this one in a corner of a little country store.
Ten cents for a 6.5 oz. (192ml) bottle of Coke. Ice cold and very refreshing. Remember those small bottles? Just enough to quench your thirst on a hot day. Back then, they used real sugar in Coca-cola, not fructose corn syrup for sweetening. It had a different taste than the Cokes today. As I remember and one of the things I thoroughly enjoyed (even though it was probably really bad for us) was how it kind of burned my throat as I swallowed it. It felt good going down. Now, I’m thinking that was a bit strange.
A little internet research tells me this machine is a Vendo 39 made by the Vendo Company of Kansas City, Missouri. This model was manufactured between 1949-1958. It was phased out in the 1960s as its capacity was too small for mainstream locations. Additionally, it would only hold 6.5 oz. Bottles and when 12 oz. bottles became the norm, these could not be converted. The rotating drum held 39 bottles with 20 more cooling in a compartment at the bottom. This model was called a “Gas Station Model” as it was small and could fit in smaller places.
In the center is a door. Behind the door are bottles of cold Coke stored horizontally. You inserted your dime, pushed the silver handle down, the drum rotated, you opened the door and pulled out your bottle of Coke. You then opened the bottle with the bottle cap opener just below the silver handle. Well, that is what you are supposed to do. I've heard tell some n'er-do-well juvenile delinquents would open the door and with their own bottle opener, pull off the cap and. let some of the Coke from the bottle drain into a cup. I swear I never did that, but some did. I’m not naming names. Lol.
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| When you pulled out a bottle, the inside would rotate so the next bottle was centered. (click to enlarge) |
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| This is one of the main ways Coke was marketed in stores. l am not pleased to say, in my much younger days, I used to drink one of these 8-packs of Coca-Cola each day. That's a gallon! Did I happen to mention how badly that affected my digestive system? After decades, I ended up with reflux so badly, when I drank Coke it felt like someone was sticking a knife in my chest. Eventually, I had to have an endoscopy to check for Barrett's Esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer--very deadly. Luckily, I was still okay but I then gave up drinking all carbonated soft drinks. Lesson learned. (click to enlarge) |
Is this a Throwback Thursday post? But I don't post on Thursdays. Oh well! Lol
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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Thanks Dennis, this brought back some memories, though I don't recall that type of machine. My small town had a gas station that had a machine that had the bottles lined up vertically, cap out, but a variety of flavors. Put the money in, open the skinny door, and pull a 16-oz bottle out. Does anyone else remember Teem, Pepsi's competitor to 7-up and Sprite?
ReplyDeleteWe also had a little carry out that looked like a house. The main room had the dry goods, and if you wanted a cold soda, you had to walk into a freezer room, which felt great on a hot summer day. By the time I was a young teenager, a 16-oz glass bottle was $0.25. We would go outside and drink the whole bottle, then return it for the $0.10 deposit, which was the cost of a candy bar. LOL, we were slowly rotting our teeth out, a quarter at a time.
I remember those machines as well. I remember Teem. I also remember Diet-Rite and Tab colas. In western PA where I grew up, we also had Nehi soda. Ice cold cherry was my favorite. Thanks for your comment. Good memories! ~Dennis
DeleteBack in those days the bottle caps had cork in them not the plastic of today! Showing my age.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I remember that now that you mention it. Thanks for the reminder. ~Dennis
DeleteYes, remember it well. Fun to hear the cyclng inside the machine too (a bit like a revolver?). Here in the SW, we have access to imported Mexican Coke, still the best with cane sugar.
ReplyDeleteRick, I agree 100%! Cane sugar had the best taste. All others just try to be as good. Thanks for your comment. ~Dennis
DeleteOf course today’s machines have to accommodate 64 oz bottles !
ReplyDeleteAnd these Coke machines were usually set up right next to a cigarette machine. Btw, does anyone remember candy cigarettes?...could you imagine if some company tried to market something like that today.
ReplyDeleteI remember candy cigarettes. Never happen today. Thanks for your comment. ~Dennis
DeleteMy grandfather worked for Coke for 42 years so Coke is all we drank. No Pepsi in our house. Lol. Here retired in early 60s Yep I remember those machines well. I also remember the bottling plant was right on the main road going downtown. It had too massive windows and you could see the bottling machine operating from the road. Great memories. The plant is still there but is now part of Sunken Gardens attraction and a restaurant in St Petersburg, FL
ReplyDeleteThanks for your story. ~Dennis
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