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[P392]Piece Of History Pins

by Daniel Wright, Dan

Collecting memorabilia from the past is a popular pastime and can be a lucrative business. Many people seek collectibles related to popular brands of carbonated beverages. Some people collect vintage soda bottles while others look for items with the brand logo on it such as old signs, clocks, jewelry or even vending machines. Some people will collect many different brands while others prefer to focus on only one brand.

Pepsi vending machine collectors have more work to do than those who collect machines from their nearest competitor. Pepsi was originally marketed as a "bargain" soft drink, emphasizing their much larger bottle at the same price as their competition. This appealed to customers, but it also meant that their bottles would not fit the same size machines.

Vending machine makers were forced to make entirely different machines for the different bottles and this increased the costs. Since Pepsi management was very focused on being low cost and operated on a narrow profit margin, they did not jump at the possibilities of vending machines and it is just harder to find a Pepsi vending machine because fewer were made and fewer survive.

The very first vending machines were nothing more than a self-service bin with a container for payment which worked on the honor system. Next came automated machines that dispensed bottles of Pepsi after a nickel was dropped into a coin slot. The next big innovation were machines that could make change for a dime.

The next thing that could change currency or coin us was the electronic machine. These machines include a small computer that operates them. They collect sales information and other data. Some day these machines will become collector items. In the future you will be able to buy a soda by swiping a card or by the machine reading your thumbprint or retina pattern.

A big prize for a collector would be a functional model of the rare machines that dispensed a fountain style drink in a paper cup. Since some of the older models were very small enough to place on a table or counter, often only holding approximately 20 sodas, collecting these machines does not take up a lot of room. Although collectors that want the larger machines will make room for them.

There are Pepsi vending machines that dispense cans as well as the 20 ounce plastic bottles that are popular today. While some of the new machines are unique and might be considered collectibles many people buy them for fun or to spice up the entertainment area of their home. Others just like to keep a machine near a backyard pool to keep cold beverages close at hand.

Now, thanks to well-done replicas, almost anyone can have an exact copy of this famous desk in their home or office because of the hard work of highly-skilled craftsmen who are able to duplicate this intricate desk. Anyone with a keen interest in Presidential history, or who simply would get a kick out of having the same desk as Barack Obama, can now purchase a replica of the Resolute Desk on-line.

Why spend thousands of dollars on a desk? Even without its rich history, the Resolute Desk is a beautiful example of Victorian design, complete with ornate carvings, gorgeous tooled leather table, and an impressive stance. Most presidents since 1880 have used this desk to sign some of the most important documents in United States history. The desk's history is fascinating, which is why many people are putting replicas of the desk in their own office. Replicas of the ornate desk can be purchased for between $6,000 and $12,000 and materials typically used are mahogany or oak. In addition to private office, replicas of the desk can be found in five presidential libraries, as well as several privately-owned museums.

The desk is so recognizable, that it also has been replicated for movies that require authenticity in their set design. In the movie National Treasure 2: Books of Secrets, the Resolute Desk played a key role.

Private buyers are getting a bit of prestige and a fascinating bit of American history.

The desk had its beginnings as timbers of the HMS Resolute, a ship that became stuck in Artic ice during an 1850 British expedition. The ship was abandoned, broke loose of the ice, and was found by an American fishing boat, which confiscated it.

As a sign of goodwill, the American government returned the ship to Queen Victoria, where it served the British Navy for another 23 years. When the Resolute was decommissioned in 1879, the British made a desk from its timbers and presented the desk as a gift to President Hayes. It was common practice to re-use parts of ships and create such tokens.

That desk has served presidents since then, and is one of the most highly photographed desks in the world. One of the most iconic pictures is of John F. Kennedy Jr. peeking out a door of the desk while his father worked. That panel was ordered put into the desk by President Roosevelt to hide the fact he was sitting in a wheelchair. Although the panel, containing the Presidential Seal, did not arrive until after President Roosevelt died, President Truman decided to install the panel.

Since the historic election of the country's first African American President, interest in the desk has surged, and several furniture companies are recreating the desk. Most of the replicas are made from Mahogany, the preferred wood, but others are available in oak.

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Both Daniel Wright & Pamela Upshur are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Daniel Wright has sinced written about articles on various topics from Interest, Acne Treatment and Auto Insurance. Browse a huge selection of s at Soda-Pop-Collectibles.com. While there, check out hundreds of Pepsi, Coca-Cola, and other. Daniel Wright's top article generates over 673000 views. to your Favourites.

Pamela Upshur has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Computers and The Internet and Auto Insurance. Antique Replica Furniture specializes in hand-carved mahogany replicas of English Antiques in Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Regency, Queen Anne and english Victorian styles furniture.. Pamela Upshur's top article generates over 9900 views. to your Favourites.