New Britain herald., 1929-05-24
n|lIl''H||llVE . S READOt)R WAYS
4ta1,tit Sl.s1sa GflJ M
 Ic,l Custqns to Foldel Lnds

Washington. D. C.. May 24-. American wayI and American ideas which have been spread through sach diverse products as automobiles and breakfast foods. motion pictures sad toys, typewriters and jazz bands. now are being disseminated in | nsw way: by the coin operated, au- t6matic salesman" says a bulletin from the Washington. D. C. head, quarters of the National Geographic society.
 ss''The rapid growth in the manu- facture of the devices that, at the drop of coin, deliver a package perform service, or provide enter tainment. has been astounding" con- tinues the bulletin. Tn the eight years between 1919 and 1927 the value of the machines produced yAarly in the United States increased 3oS per cent, and it is estimated that during the present year it will ex- ceed $10,00o.000. Approximately one-tenth of the output is exported to a score or more of foreign coun- tries in all of the continents.
 Novelty Sells Many Devices
 ITO their surprise, officials of the United States department of com merce have just discovered that Siam is taking much more than it's sup posed share of the exports. This monarchy in the hot, steamy south- east corner of Asia. not only is iead- iHE all the countries of it's con- tinent, in. importing American coin- operated machies, but is the sixth largest customer among all coun- tries.
 ..'In some out -the-way countries the sheer novelty Of American ma- chines has sold them. In Nepal, just otltside the northeast corner of In- dh. American trade scouts were amazed not long ago to see several shining cash registers used as orna- nents in niches along the grand staircase of palace. Although the reason for the large import of auto- m4tic vending machines by Siam has rot yet been found out, it is not be- lissed that they are serving as dec- otations. If is believed to be more likely that -theyHare selling sweet meats and weighing the Siamese belles and beaus in the grounds and pasilions at religious fairs. and among the crowds that frequent temples and shrines.
 Machines Sell Commodities
 s.'In 8 number of cases foreign purchasers have sent specifications tds American manufacturers calling for the design of machines that will vShd their peculiar products. Per hAps it is not too much to expect tHkt soon machines in Siam and other southeastern Asiatic countries Will be selling for the equivalent of . @ickel or 8 dime the makings' for b]fel-nut che~ers. just as thousands oftdevices are selling cigarettes, to- bSfco. and matches in Europe and America.
 eAutomatic selling has made rapid n ldes since. the World War. Chew i1 sdii Ind sWeet : chocolate cakes n resetM most of the machine aes ten years ago. Nowadays. in tlD largest cities, one may buy though machines a large number of commodities. including handker. cltefs, shoe-strings. tooth brushes at paste, rasor blades, candies, and
 
 m made available by dropping coins irfaltts. At railway and bus stations ote my obtain locker for his bags h3 dropping coin in a slot, in weshrooms he may purchase soap ard the use of & towel in a similar wly or may have his shoes automat- fclkIly siiihAd. In restaurants he may buy an entire meal automatically. aA1 at automatic soda fountains can qaench his thirst by thrusting coin in2D . small slot. Stamp vending machines have invaded even the sraller towns. as have automatic sc4les, automatic pianos, and other musical devices The latest automat- icsi entertainment apparatus is a powerful radio set which will go into operation for limited time when coin is dropped into it's nav. Parhaps the ultimate in automatic satesmanship is the talking vending machine. The device not only de- flyers your purchase. but accom- panies h with cheery Thank you.'
 Great Britain Best Customer
 Several foreign countries are competing with the United States in the manufacture of coin-operated machines, notably Great Britain, Germany and Denmark. Despite this competition, numerous machines are sold in these countries. Great Britain is the best customer although there is special handicap in that country fo the spread of coin- operated machines, because of the lack of decimal coinage,