For generations, gumball vending machines provided kids with a major source for toys, trinkets, and novelties. If Mom took you shopping for groceries, chances are there were gumball machines stationed between the cashier and the exit. Drop a coin in a toy vending machine, turn the crank for a toy-filled capsule that provides a brief but fun moment of surprise and anticipation.

 The first known vending toy capsules were egg-shaped. In 1939, bulk vending innovator Samuel Eppy was working for Gum, Inc., when in an effort to boost gum sales, created plastic charms to be enclosed with each piece of gum. While Eppy’s idea was not initially successful due to packaging problems, his charm and gum-filled eggs eventually led to today’s toy capsule and toy capsule vending machine industry.

  Eppy purchased the toy egg mold from Gum, Inc. for $4,500. Then along with his brothers, went into business for himself, and introduced the first toy capsule vending machine. By the 1940's Samuel Eppy & Co. became the largest manufactures of vending machine charms.

 In 1956 the company produced 7/8 inch Big League Baseball Club Picture Buttons for their vending machines. Samuel Eppy might have also manufactured the 1961-1969 Guy's and Crane Potato Chips premium Buttons. The buttons are the same size, use the same logo designs, and also features the "Made In U.S.A." printing along the rim, instead of a manufacture credit line.

 On July 7, 1921 John F Meyer filed a patent application for his Chicago-based Exhibit Supply Company, to manufacture arcade vending machines that dispensed postcard size cards for a penny. The Company made cards depicting, cowboys, music, movie, and sports stars of the day.

 The ESCO-Exhibit Supply Company vending machines evolved over the coming years, and have become highly sought after by collectors. This vending machine from the original 1921 patent was still in use through the 1930s with only minor changes.

Baseball cards were issued by the Exhibit Supply Company of Chicago from 1921 through 1963, 1977, and 1980. Exhibit baseball cards are difficult to date because the only way to distinguish between years is by very subtle differences.

Most Exhibit cards are blank backed with very little identifying text on the front. Differences in the placement of text, font style, and wording such as "Made in U.S.A." or "Printed in U.S.A." will help to narrow it down to the year in which they first appeared.

 Given the catalog designation R423 these micro strip baseball cards were inserted in capsules to be dispensed in vending machines. Produced by the Oak Sales Co. the 5/8" x 7/8" cards were issued in 13 card perforated strips in 1950. The thin stock paper cards features a black & white player photo, are numbered 1-120, followed by the players name, and at the very bottom a baseball play, used to play a game; Ball, Strike, Walk, Strike Out, Fly Out, Foul Out, Out, Sacrifice Fly, Safe Bunt, Single, Double, Triple, Home Run.