The first vending machine dispensed holy water, not Coke - RN, 17 Jan 2018, The vending machine that we recognise today started in Britain, when a small machine that dispensed postage stamps was patented in 1857 This was followed in 1883 by a huge cast-iron dispenser made by Percival Everitt that sold postcards A further refinement meant the coin-slot closed when the machine ran out of stock