(no subject)

Here's a blast from the past: somebody opened an Automat in New York City.

http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/3589

http://www.bamnfood.com/index.html

Basically, food was placed in little cubbyholes along a lartge wall. A customer who wants something would put his money in the appropriate slot, which would release the door to the cubbyhole. The customer would then open the door and take the food from the cubbyhole.

Automats were first opened in the early 1900 and had their heyday in the 30's and 40's. I'm thinking that the last ones were closed by the early 1970's, but I'm not sure of the date.

I'll have to give this place a try next time I find myself in the East Village.