The Whistler’s Tonic Dispenser
Value: $120,000
Produced in 1912 by the mysterious Whistler Mechanical Works, this machine handed out small bottles of “medicinal tonic,” which was rumored to have rejuvenating effects. Customers would insert a coin and turn a crank, triggering a short whistle melody as a bottle came out. The Whistler’s Tonic Dispenser was among the first machines to add an entertainment element to the vending process, making it a highly prized collectible today.
