[seanmcdirmid]

Vending machines were popular in the USA I think in the early 20th century. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horn_%26_Hardart

They went out of style in the late 20th century (in the USA at least).

[schrijver]

Apparently they went out of fashion everywhere, except the Netherlands, probably because of the strong presence of the ‘FEBO’ franchise from the 1960ies onward, a fast food brand built in part on having these machines. So it’s hardly new to see them in Amsterdam!