自动售货乐趣之谜：从古代文物到现代奇迹

从古代亚历山大英雄的饮料机到现代奇迹珀西瓦尔·埃弗里特的明信片机，自动售货机的演变在今天无处不在。这些巧妙的设备现在可以满足不同的需求，例如日本可爱的猫帽机、Instagram 上著名的蛋糕自动售货机以及备受争议的鲸鱼生鱼片自动售货机。在全球范围内，自动售货机出售新奇商品，例如德国的乐高玩具、英国的假睫毛、法国的短篇小说，甚至迪拜的金条。此外，它们还具有实际用途，例如在美国分发救生纳洛酮和提供方便的紧急避孕药，凸显了它们超越单纯消费主义的潜力。

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

奇特自动售货机的神秘世界：从远古根源到现代奇迹

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.

在人类聪明才智的织锦中，自动售货机就像神秘的线索，将现代生活的便利与意想不到的诱惑无缝地交织在一起。它们的存在可以追溯到古罗马帝国，亚历山大的杰出工程师希罗制作了一种装置，可以在插入硬币时分配酒和圣水。然而，我们今天所知的自动售货机是在 19 世纪出现的，珀西瓦尔·埃弗里特 (Percival Everitt) 于 1883 年在伦敦发明了开创性的发明——这是在火车站分发明信片的投币式奇迹。

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.

快进到 21 世纪，自动售货机已在全球范围内无处不在，其功能远远超出了零食和饮料的范围。如今，它们成为了一系列令人眼花缭乱的商品的渠道，从贵金属到美食，满足了不断发展的社会的奇思妙想和必需品。

Japan: A Mecca for Quirky Vending Delights

日本：奇特的自动售货美食圣地

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.

日本是一个以其技术实力和文化怪异而闻名的国家，已成为名副其实的奇特自动售货机的庇护所。该国拥有超过 400 万台自动售货机，每 31 人就拥有一台。从雨伞到工薪白衬衫，从折纸鹤到生菜，日本自动售货机景观提供了一个取之不尽、用之不竭的宝库，里面藏着意想不到的宝藏。

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.

但除了这些平凡的产品之外，还有真正非凡的乐趣。在东京的街道上，人们可能会遇到为猫分发微型针织帽的自动售货机，并附有警告：“分发的商品不包括图中的猫。”对于喜爱美食的人来说，这里有“罐头蛋糕”自动售货机，顾客可以尽情享受美味的食物，例如包装在迷人的圆柱形容器中的草莓脆饼和提拉米苏。

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.

日本的自动售货机超越了食品领域，也成为了有争议的美食的供应商。在横滨，鲸鱼商店推出了出售鲸鱼生鱼片、培根和牛排的自动售货机，这证明了该国尽管国际社会强烈抗议，但仍继续依赖捕鲸业。同样，在秋田县北部，Soba Goro 餐厅经营着出售野生熊肉的自动售货机，此举旨在解决该地区日益严重的熊袭击问题。

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

中国、德国和英国：全球自动售货机的万花筒

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，其他国家也接受了奇特的自动售货机的概念，为全球的发展增添了自己独特的风味。例如，在中国，人们可以从自动售货机购买活螃蟹，并配有醋和姜茶，方便烹饪。在德国慕尼黑，乐高爱好者可以通过自动售货机出售令人垂涎的乐高套装来满足他们的拼搭欲望。

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.

英国的自动售货机也有其独特之处。在纽卡斯尔，自动售货机随时准备出售迷人的假睫毛，为夜间外出时遇到的任何意外美容紧急情况提供快速解决方案。

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

法国和美国：从文学享受到技术创新

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.

在自动售货机领域，法国凭借 Short Édition 短篇故事自动售货机为自己开辟了一片天地，为通勤者提供了在火车旅途中深入研究迷人故事的机会。这些机器甚至受到了著名导演弗朗西斯·福特·科波拉的青睐，他在他的旧金山餐厅 Cafe Zoetrope 中安装了一台。

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.

美国对创新的热衷引起了人们对自动售货机的好奇心。在俄勒冈州，可以从专门的自动售货机购买吉他弦，而在比佛利山庄，自动售货机则为精英人士提供鱼子酱、松露和法国美食蜗牛。

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.

但也许最爱国的美国自动售货机是新泽西州的“RoboBurger”，它利用人工智能的力量，在短短六分钟内分发出新鲜烹制的汉堡。这台机器体现了这个国家对快餐的热爱和技术实力。

Beyond Frivolity: Vending Machines with a Purpose

超越轻浮：有目的的自动售货机

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.

虽然许多自动售货机满足了我们琐碎的需求，但其他自动售货机却有更深远的目的。在加利福尼亚州圣华金县，三台自动售货机提供免费的纳洛酮（Narcan）——一种救命药物，可以帮助经历阿片类戒断症状的人。同样，美国 17 个州的 39 所大学也采用了紧急避孕药自动售货机，确保学生可以轻松获得并负担得起这些基本药物。

Dubai: Where Gold Flows from Vending Machines

迪拜：黄金从自动售货机流出的地方

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.

在繁华的迪拜市，自动售货机已经达到了奢华的新高度。金条自动售货机可以即时购买 24 克拉黄金，从小的 2.5 克金币到大的 1 盎司金条，满足休闲收藏者和狂热投资者的需求。

Conclusion

结论

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.

自动售货机的世界是一个令人着迷且不断发展的领域，便利性和创新的界限不断被突破。从罗马帝国古代分配葡萄酒的起源到今天人工智能驱动的汉堡分配器，自动售货机已经成为我们生活中不可或缺的一部分，将功能与奇思妙想无缝地融合在一起。随着技术的不断进步和人类的聪明才智无边无际，自动售货机的未来必将更加令人惊喜和令人愉快。