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Pocket Books "Book-O-Mat" Paperback Vending Machine

 


Early in the paperback revolution (started in 1939), Pocket Books decided to try a paperback book vending machine. 50 paperback books for a quarter each. It was an interesting idea, but it failed in the end because readers wanted to actually handle and look at the books they were buying. Unlike candy or coffee, which is uniform in content, books vary by plot, genre and cover art. 

According to this article, two years after the first Book-O-Mat was released, an updated version was created by Rock Ola, a company that specialized in slot machines and juke boxes. Apparently, it failed as well. However, it looked like a much better design than the original, since you could actually see the covers of the paperbacks



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