99% Invisible The Automat
Jun 4, 2019
Filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz dives into the captivating history of Horn & Hardart's Automats, once revolutionary dining spots where meals were dispensed from glass cubbies. She shares nostalgic tales of how these establishments made good food accessible to all, contrasting them with today's automated dining experiences that prioritize efficiency. The conversation also explores the evolution of food advertising, highlighting how visual storytelling transformed perceptions of meals over the years, blending creativity with cultural significance.
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Automated Quinoa Bowls
- Avery Truffleman disliked the automated restaurant EATSA in San Francisco.
- She found it removed customers from their food and the people who prepared it.
The Original Automat
- The Automat, a restaurant chain popular in New York and Philadelphia, offered a similar automated experience decades earlier.
- It featured a wall of glass cubbies dispensing food after customers inserted coins.
Automat's True Appeal
- The Automat's success stemmed from its good food and affordability, not just automation.
- The automated aspect was a novelty, while the quality and price kept customers returning.