The Stories Behind These Iconic Photos

The tanning vending machine was invented back in the late 40s in Chicago. Much like other vending machines we’re familiar with these days, or phone boots, the tanning vending machines were placed around the city at tactical locations – around public pools, tennis courts or public beaches, and it cost 10 cents to use the device.

We can see why it was invented in Chicago – a cold city that doesn’t get a lot of natural sun. There’s nothing that says “summer” more than a good tan, and so this invention came to life. Although it was quite popular back in the fifties, the invention didn’t survive the test of time, and was replaced by tanning beds and tanning salons.