自動販賣樂趣之謎：從古代文物到現代奇蹟

從古代亞歷山大英雄的飲料機到現代奇蹟珀西瓦爾·埃弗里特的明信片機，自動販賣機的演變在今天無處不在。這些巧妙的設備現在可以滿足不同的需求，例如日本可愛的貓帽機、Instagram 上著名的蛋糕自動販賣機以及備受爭議的鯨魚生魚片自動販賣機。在全球範圍內，自動販賣機出售新奇商品，例如德國的樂高玩具、英國的假睫毛、法國的短篇小說，甚至是杜拜的金條。此外，它們還具有實際用途，例如在美國分發救生納洛酮和提供方便的緊急避孕藥，凸顯了它們超越單純消費主義的潛力。

The Enigmatic World of Quirky Vending Machines: From Ancient Roots to Modern Marvels

奇特自動販賣機的神秘世界：從遠古根源到現代奇蹟

In the tapestry of human ingenuity, vending machines stand as enigmatic threads, seamlessly entwining the convenience of modern life with the allure of the unexpected. Their existence can be traced back to the ancient Roman Empire, where the brilliant engineer Hero of Alexandria crafted a device that dispensed wine and holy water upon insertion of a coin. However, it was the 19th century that witnessed the advent of vending machines as we know them today, with the groundbreaking invention of Percival Everitt in London in 1883 – a coin-operated marvel that dispensed postcards in railway stations.

在人類聰明才智的織錦中，自動販賣機就像神秘的線索，將現代生活的便利性與意想不到的誘惑無縫地交織在一起。它們的存在可以追溯到古羅馬帝國，亞歷山大的傑出工程師希羅製作了一種裝置，可以在插入硬幣時分配酒和聖水。然而，我們今天所知的自動販賣機是在19 世紀出現的，珀西瓦爾·埃弗里特(Percival Everitt) 於1883 年在倫敦發明了開創性的發明——這是在火車站分發明信片的投幣式奇蹟。

Fast forward to the 21st century, and vending machines have become an ubiquitous presence in the global landscape, their functionality extending far beyond the realm of snacks and beverages. They now serve as conduits for a bewildering array of items, from precious metals to gourmet culinary delights, catering to the whims and necessities of an ever-evolving society.

快進到 21 世紀，自動販賣機已在全球範圍內無處不在，其功能遠遠超出了零食和飲料的範圍。如今，它們成為了一系列令人眼花繚亂的商品的管道，從貴金屬到美食，滿足了不斷發展的社會的奇思妙想和必需品。

Japan: A Mecca for Quirky Vending Delights

日本：奇特的自動販賣美食聖地

Japan, a nation renowned for its technological prowess and cultural eccentricity, has emerged as a veritable sanctuary for peculiar vending machines. With over four million vending machines in operation, the country boasts one for every 31 people. From umbrellas to white salaryman shirts, origami cranes to lettuce, the Japanese vending machine landscape offers an inexhaustible treasury of unexpected treasures.

日本是一個以其技術實力和文化怪異而聞名的國家，已成為名副其實的奇特自動販賣機的庇護所。該國擁有超過 400 萬台自動販賣機，每 31 人就有一台。從雨傘到工薪白襯衫，從摺紙鶴到生菜，日本自動販賣機景觀提供了一個取之不盡、用之不竭的寶藏，裡面藏著意想不到的寶藏。

But beyond these mundane offerings lie truly extraordinary delights. In the streets of Tokyo, one can encounter vending machines dispensing miniature knitted hats for cats, complete with the caveat: "Item dispensed does not include the cat pictured." For the culinarily inclined, there are "Cake in a Can" vending machines, where patrons can indulge in delectable treats such as strawberry shortcake and tiramisu, packaged in charming cylindrical containers.

但除了這些平凡的產品之外，還有真正非凡的樂趣。在東京的街道上，人們可能會遇到為貓分發微型針織帽的自動售貨機，並附有警告：“分發的商品不包括圖中的貓。”對於喜愛美食的人來說，這裡有「罐頭蛋糕」自動販賣機，顧客可以盡情享受美味的食物，例如包裝在迷人的圓柱形容器中的草莓脆餅和提拉米蘇。

Venturing beyond the realm of edibles, Japan's vending machines have also become purveyors of controversial delicacies. In Yokohama, the Kujira (Whale) Store has launched vending machines that dispense whale sashimi, bacon, and steak, a testament to the country's continued reliance on whaling despite international outcry. Similarly, in the northern Akita Prefecture, the Soba Goro restaurant operates vending machines that serve wild bear meat, a measure aimed at combating the growing problem of bear attacks in the area.

日本的自動販賣機超越了食品領域，也成為了有爭議的美食的供應商。在橫濱，鯨魚商店推出了出售鯨魚生魚片、培根和牛排的自動販賣機，這證明了該國儘管國際社會強烈抗議，但仍繼續依賴捕鯨業。同樣，在秋田縣北部，Soba Goro 餐廳經營著出售野生熊肉的自動販賣機，此舉旨在解決該地區日益嚴重的熊襲擊問題。

China, Germany, and the United Kingdom: A Global Kaleidoscope of Vending Curiosities

中國、德國和英國：全球自動販賣機的萬花筒

Far beyond the shores of Japan, other nations have also embraced the concept of quirky vending machines, adding their own unique flavors to the global tapestry. In China, for instance, one can purchase live crabs from a vending machine, complete with vinegar and ginger tea for convenient culinary preparation. In Munich, Germany, Lego enthusiasts can satisfy their building cravings with vending machines dispensing coveted Lego sets.

除了日本之外，其他國家也接受了奇特的自動販賣機的概念，為全球的發展增添了自己獨特的風味。例如，在中國，人們可以從自動販賣機購買活螃蟹，並配有醋和薑茶，方便烹飪。在德國慕尼黑，樂高愛好者可以透過自動販賣機出售令人垂涎的樂高套裝來滿足他們的拼搭慾望。

The United Kingdom, too, has its share of vending eccentricities. In Newcastle, a vending machine stands ready to dispense glamorous false eyelashes, providing a quick solution for any unexpected beauty emergencies on a night out.

英國的自動販賣機也有其獨特之處。在紐卡斯爾，自動販賣機隨時準備好出售迷人的假睫毛，為夜間外出時遇到的任何意外美容緊急情況提供快速解決方案。

France and the United States: From Literary Delights to Technological Innovations

法國與美國：從文學享受到技術創新

In the realm of vending machines, France has carved out a niche for itself with its Short Édition short-story vending machines, offering commuters a chance to delve into captivating tales on their train journeys. These machines have found favor even with renowned director Francis Ford Coppola, who installed one in his San Francisco restaurant, Cafe Zoetrope.

在自動販賣機領域，法國憑藉 Short Édition 短篇故事自動販賣機為自己開闢了一片天地，為通勤者提供了在火車旅途中深入研究迷人故事的機會。這些機器甚至受到了著名導演弗朗西斯·福特·科波拉的青睞，他在他的舊金山餐廳 Cafe Zoetrope 中安裝了一台。

The United States, with its penchant for innovation, has given rise to a plethora of vending curiosities. In Oregon, guitar strings can be purchased from a dedicated vending machine, while in Beverly Hills, a vending machine caters to the elite with its offerings of caviar, truffles, and the French delicacy, escargots.

美國對創新的熱衷引起了人們對自動販賣機的好奇心。在俄勒岡州，可以從專門的自動販賣機購買吉他弦，而在比佛利山莊，自動販賣機則為精英人士提供魚子醬、松露和法國美食蝸牛。

But perhaps the most patriotic American vending machine is the "RoboBurger" in New Jersey, which harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to dispense freshly cooked burgers in a mere six minutes. This machine epitomizes the nation's love for fast food and technological prowess.

但也許最愛國的美國自動販賣機是新澤西州的“RoboBurger”，它利用人工智慧的力量，在短短六分鐘內分發新鮮烹製的漢堡。這台機器體現了這個國家對快餐的熱愛和技術實力。

Beyond Frivolity: Vending Machines with a Purpose

超越輕浮：有目的的自動販賣機

While many vending machines cater to our frivolous needs, others serve a more profound purpose. In San Joaquin Country, California, three vending machines provide free Narcan – a life-saving drug that aids individuals experiencing opioid withdrawal. Similarly, 39 universities across 17 states in the US have embraced emergency contraceptive vending machines, ensuring that these essential medications are readily available and affordable for students.

雖然許多自動販賣機滿足了我們瑣碎的需求，但其他自動販賣機有更深遠的目的。在加州聖華金縣，三台自動販賣機提供免費的納洛酮（Narcan）—一種救命藥物，可以幫助經歷鴉片類戒斷症狀的人。同樣，美國 17 個州的 39 所大學也採用了緊急避孕藥自動販賣機，確保學生可以輕鬆獲得並負擔得起這些基本藥物。

Dubai: Where Gold Flows from Vending Machines

杜拜：黃金從自動販賣機流出的地方

In the opulent city of Dubai, vending machines have reached new heights of luxury. Gold bullion vending machines offer instant access to 24-karat gold, from small 2.5-gram coins to hefty one-ounce bars, catering to the needs of both casual collectors and avid investors alike.

在繁華的杜拜市，自動販賣機已經達到了奢華的新高度。金條自動販賣機可以即時購買 24 克拉黃金，從小的 2.5 克金幣到大的 1 盎司金條，滿足休閒收藏者和狂熱投資者的需求。

Conclusion

結論

The world of vending machines is a fascinating and ever-evolving landscape, where the boundaries of convenience and innovation are constantly pushed. From the ancient origins of dispensing wine in the Roman Empire to the AI-powered burger dispensers of today, vending machines have become an integral part of our lives, seamlessly blending functionality with whimsy. As technology continues to advance and human ingenuity knows no bounds, the future of vending machines promises to be even more surprising and delightful.

自動販賣機的世界是一個令人著迷且不斷發展的領域，便利性和創新的界限不斷被突破。從羅馬帝國古代分配葡萄酒的起源到今天由人工智慧驅動的漢堡分配器，自動販賣機已經成為我們生活中不可或缺的一部分，將功能與奇思妙想無縫地融合在一起。隨著科技的不斷進步和人類的聰明才智無邊無際，自動販賣機的未來必將更加令人驚喜和愉快。