Check out these examples of how self service has evolved since the late 1800s.

1. The Evolution of Self-
Service

2. Vending Machines- 1880s
● The first vending
machine in the U.S.
was built by
Thomas Adams
Gum Co. in 1888.
The machine sold
gum on New York
City train platforms.

3. Sears Store Catalog- 1888
● In 1744, Benjamin
Franklin created the first
mail order catalog. The
first successful store
catalog was the Sears'
store catalog, first
published in 1888

4. Self-service Gas Pumps- 1905
● Although not popular until
the 70s, self-service gas
existed since 1905, when
Bernard Roth presented
the idea to customers in
Los Angeles. Not many
used it because they
thought it was dangerous
“We don’t wash your windows. We just sell you gas for
less”- Roth’s newspaper ad for World Oil Corp.

5. Credit Cards- 1946
● In 1946, John Biggins of
Flatbush National Bank
in Brooklyn, New York
created a program
between merchants and
customers that let
customers "charge it"

6. Self-checkout- 1992
● The first supermarket
self-checkout system
was installed in 1992
in the Price Chopper
Supermarket in NYC
by Dr. Howard
Schneider

7. For more information and tips on improving
self-service, visit the I Want It Now blog at
iwantitnow.walkme.com