"The coin would fall inside and land on a lever. Under the weight of the coin, the lever went down, pulling a string. The string was attached to a plug that opened a valve, allowing the container to dispense holy water. So Hero's invention was not a snack machine - it was designed to prevent people from taking more than their fair share of holy water, which had apparently been a problem in temples up to that point."
"Hero's invention was not very similar to a modern vending machine. Based on reconstructions and drawings, you wouldn't even think it was a machine to look at it. Instead, it looked more like a large vase with a spigot attached. It had the appearance of something you might take on a picnic to dispense cold drinks, or even an antiquated Gatorade sideline cooler. To be fair, that's essentially what it was, even though the holy water wasn't meant for"
Vending machines sell a wide range of goods, but their technology originated around the first century A.D. in Egypt. Hero of Alexandria invented a coin-operated holy-water dispenser that released a measured amount when a coin depressed a lever, pulled a string, and opened a valve. After the coin fell into a box the lever returned and the valve closed, preventing further dispensing. The device resembled a large vase with a spigot rather than a modern machine. The mechanism enforced equal portions and prevented overuse in temples. Modern vending machines evolved to sell drinks, snacks, and many other items.
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