Why Americans Used to Eat Dinner Out of Vending Machines

Overview

Long before drive-thrus and food delivery apps, people were already looking for a quick, convenient meal. Even ancient Romans enjoyed food on the go! But one of Europe's most fascinating fast-food innovations took convenience to a whole new level: the Automat. These futuristic cafeterias let customers buy hot meals from coin-operated compartments, transforming how much of the world ate. So how did the European Automat become an American cultural icon and why did it eventually disappear? On this episode of Weird History Food we take a look at the strange history of the Automat, the rise of American fast food, and the surprising reasons this once-beloved dining experience went extinct.