History of Convenience Services
Explore the spectrum of convenience services: vending to coffee services to micro markets and beyond. Learn about the trends and innovations shaping our industry.
History of Convenience Services
215 BC
Device to dispense holy water used in the temples of Egypt, described by the mathematician Hero who lived in Alexandria.
500 AD
Coffee is first cultivated.
1076 AD
Chinese produce coin operated pencil vendors.
1660
The Dutch introduces coffee to America.
1700s
Coin-operated tobacco boxes appear in English taverns.
1822
First espresso machine developed in France.
1886
US grants several patents for coin-operated dispensers.
1888
Thomas Adams company installs Tutti-Frutti gum machines on New York elevated train platforms.
1901
Just-add-hot-water “instant” coffee was invented by Satori Kato of Chicago.
1902
Horn and Hardart Baking Company opens Automat restaurant in Philadelphia.
1905
US Post Office begins to use stamp vendors.
1926
First commercial cigarette vending machines come on the market.
1930s
Invention of the first slug rejectors facilitates large-scale application of retailing through vending machines.
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Bottled soft drink machines cooled with ice appear on the market.
1936
National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) is founded.
1937
Coca-Cola bottle vendor built by The Vendolator Co in Fresno, CA.
1946
Invention of the first coffee vendors leads to use of vending machines for coffee break.
1947
The first NAMA national expo.
1950
First refrigerated sandwich vendors expand lunch menu.
1957
US Public Health Service approves Model Vending Sanitation Code, and NAMA establishes industry’s first evaluation program to certify vending equipment.
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Ice served for the first time in cup soft drink.
1958
Milk shake vending machine introduced.
1960
Dollar bill changers are added to vending banks.
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Single cup coffee vending machines introduced.
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The first NAMA western expo.
1960s
Launch of NAMA affiliated State Councils.
1961
Canned soft drink vendors offer customers a new beverage option.
1963
Vending companies begin furnishing microwave ovens to heat refrigerated foods.
1968
Term “OCS” for Office Coffee Service introduced.
1970s
Electric data retrieval system for machines introduced by International Totalizing System.
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Electronic components applied to vending machines by Wurlitzer and RMi.
1972
Glass front snack machine introduced by Polyvend.
1978
Water vending machines introduced.
1983
French fry machines introduced.
1985
Credit card / debit card devices for vending machines introduced.
1986
100th Anniversary of vending in US.
1987
First hand-held computers electronically capture vending data
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Frozen food vendors introduced.
1988
First bean-grinders introduced in coffee machines.
1991
Flavored coffees, espresso, cappuccino introduced in machines.
1992
NAMA approves industry-wide Data Transfer Standard.
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Bag-in-box syrup containers installed in cold beverage machines.
1993
First remote wireless transmission of data from machines to warehouses.
1995
Coffee becomes world’s most popular beverage with over 400 billion cups consumed every year.
1998
The “Internet Coffee Service Industry” (ICS) is pioneered by combining technology with efficient worldwide distribution channels.
1999
National Coffee Service Association merged with NAMA.
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New dollar coin introduced by US Mint.
2005
NAMA created FitPick®, a healthy vending and micro market labeling program, to help vending operators and consumers identify products that meet recognized nutrition guidelines.
2008
NAMA’s first OneShow, now known as The NAMA Show.
2010
NAMA’s first Coffee, Tea and Water (CTW) show.
2016
NAMA turns 80.
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Inaugural Executive Forum.
2022
Imagination Way introduced by NAMA.