On December 16, 1884, 134 years ago today, William Henry Fruen, of Minneapolis, patented his "Automatic Liquid-Drawing Device." Designed to look like a building, Fruen's device dispensed mineral water ...

Our hacker from [Appalachian Forge Works] wrote in to let us know about their vending machine build: a Halloween vending computer that talks. He starts by demonstrating the vending process: a backlit ...

This vending machine looks very similar to any other. But when you use it to buy a drink, your beverage comes in a reusable bottle—and when you’re done, it takes the bottle back, sanitizes it, and ...