New Literary Vending Machine Dispenses Short Stories

In Grenoble, France, a new type of vending machine has hit the streets, in an attempt to tear its residents away from typical modern distractions during those dull moments.

Currently in a pilot program with 8 of the devices placed across the city, the initiative was set up by French publishing company Short Edition, who told Agence-France Presse:

“The idea came to us in front of a vending machine containing chocolate bars and drinks. We said to ourselves that we could do the same thing with good quality popular literature to occupy these little unproductive moments.”

The vending machine itself is a small black and orange cylinder, sporting 3 buttons used to dispense stories and a slot through which it is delivered. The customer can select the length of the story using the buttons, 1- , 3- and 5-minutes in length, upon which a random original short story is chosen and printed onto 8 centimeter wide paper and dispensed. Additionally, all of the stories dispensed by the machines are written by members of Short Edition’s community, which can raise awareness for the up-and-coming writers looking to get published. And the best part is, that all of this is free, so there is no reason for residents of Grenoble not to take a break from their smartphones and tablets every once in a while.

The question is then, will this new type of vending machine catch on, luring ever more people away from their touchscreens, or be forever consigned to the list of unusual vending machines alongside many Japanese creations?

Image: AFP