New York Public Library Showcases The Automat

Scarsdale residents may remember Automats, ok, well perhaps the Baby Boomers do.

Popping up not only in retail stores but also in iconic places such as Horn and Hardart, these machines provided workers  and patrons alike with a fast, made- fresh lunch and changed forever how Americans viewed the second meal of the day.

In a recent msnbc.com article, NBC news took a closer look at the history of the Automat, click here to access this video report that showcases the importance of the Automat in everyday American life.

But does your son or daughter have any idea what an Automat is? Can they picture anything other than candy bars being bought from a vending machine?

Well perhaps this summer you can head down to Manhattan and check out the New York City Public Library's exhibit on the Automat, running now through February 2013. 

Not only can you show your kids what they looked like, but there will be other interactive stations, giving people a better understanding of how modern lunch was created.

For more info, visit the library's website by clicking here.

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So who remembers going to the Automat as a kid for lunch?  Share your memories in the comments section below!