The Vendo Company was founded in Kansas City, Missouri in 1937. Vendo manufactured soda vending machines exclusively for the Cola-Cola Company. In 1956 they merged with their largest competitor, Vendorlator Manufacturing Company and moved to Fresno, California. In 2005 Vendo was bought by Sanden of Japan and moved to Dallas, Texas. They were renamed SandenVendo America, Inc. and they continue to manufacture Vendo vending machines today.
These photos capture Vendo Company in its earliest days. The Vendo Company was founded by two brothers, Elmer and John Pierson, who invented the first efficient coin-operated vending lid for chest coolers, known as the “Red Top”. They quickly became leaders in the vending machine marketplace.
Two views of the Vendo Company Building.
The Vendo Company Christmas Party 1939
Executives of the Vendo Company, January 5, 1940
Offices at Vendo Company outfitted with a Vendo Red Top Chest
Stages of Vendo cooler design, from concept to manufacture.
2 responses so far ↓
1 june // Aug 2, 2010 at 5:51 am
We purchased two shares of The Vendo Company stock in 1969 and forgot about the shares until recently. Are these shares still worth any money? If so, how do I redeem them? Sincerely, June Chalou
2 Sue Johnson Stinson // Jan 16, 2011 at 7:18 pm
I worked for Vendo in Kansas City as a young 23 year old secretary in the Engineering department. I modeled for the company when they did an International advertising magazine with several standing and sitting in front of the machine. Do any copies of these first magazines still exist? I have one copy. I had and may have several monthly newspapers. I do remember John Pierson .
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