A machine was created in the early 1960s, that for a few coins, could create a toy right before a child’s eyes. They were coin-operated machines that would mold out of plastic, things like little dinosaurs, dolphins, alligators, NASA’s Space Lab,  a space capsule, and even presidential busts. It was called Mold-A-Rama, created by a man who originally wanted nothing more than a replacement for a Christmas decoration. On this show, I have the story of the Mold-a-Rama, as well as vending machines and pinball.

Links to the sources I used to write this story:

Mold-A-Rama
A Brief History of Mold-A-Rama - Mental Floss
The Story of Mold-A-Rama, Chicago’s Very Own Souvenir Machine - WTTW
Mold-A-Rama and its Quincy connection — Herald-Wing
Replication Devices - Miniaturized Plastic Injection Factories

Vending Machines
Old World, High Tech - Smithsonian
The History of Book Vending Machines - Atlantic Vending
The great vending machine book by Colmer, Michael
Hugh Moore Dixie Cup Company Collection

Pinball
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SILVER BALL
Brief History of Pinball - Princeton University

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★