The History of Where Claw Machines Originated
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The History of Where Claw Machines Originated
Claw machines have been part of many of mankind’s childhood past. They have served as
entertainment and a test of skill and luck altogether to whoever dares challenge it’s magnificent glory.
But little is known about the claw machine’s past.
Where did they come from?
To answer that question, we must travel back in time, to the earliest of days of the 20th century. Back
then, when the excavation of the Panama Canal was ongoing, the steam shovel became famous as a
fascinating piece of machinery. This was the claw machine’s ancestor. But it was not digging for dirt,
but rather for candies.
The earliest versions of the claw machine were the Miami Digger, the Erie Digger, and the Panama
Digger. And as the technology got more advanced, like using electricity for example, so did the prizes.
Instead of using candies, the machines were now filled with noble jewelry, lighters, and cigars.
While doing that, they also upgraded the look of the machines by designing pure gold cabinets and
filled them up with silver coins or coin rolls to entice more people to play the game and gamble. By
doing that, they not only made it entertaining but also an alternative source of luxury and economic
goods.
Based on historical data, the claw machine was invented back in 1893 but was never released as a
game until the year 1926. And the claw machine we know now is all thanks to the invention of carnival
operator Willam Barlett in the 1930s.
The claw machine has a rich background that it would bring honor to play the original one just as that.
These arcade machines have become integral moments in our childhood that will be forever etched in
our souls. And after knowing how deep the roots go, you’ll never see a claw machine the same ever
again.
Below, we explore the history of these games and why they're so popular.
The history of claw machines is a little bit foggy. The early versions of the crane vending machine were created in the late 1800s in America. These early versions were inspired by a steam shovel, though they were not launched to the public until the 1900s. The initial prizes in these games were tasty candies.
In 1960, Sega and Taito launched the first crane game in Japan. At this point, the prizes were still candy and cookies. In the 1980s, America saw a spike in the game's popularity. In contrast, Japan had already developed a love for this game in the 70s. As the popularity grew, the number of crane machines also grew.
There's no simple reason why claw machines are so popular. Perhaps it's the adorable or fun prizes that you can win. It may also be a competitive nature that drives consumers to want to get the toy or prize to drop into the bin. Either way, it's undeniable that they're highly addictive games.
The cost of the claw machine depends on how high-end the prices are. However, you can expect most claw vending machines to be around 100 yen (about $0.80). Depending on where you go for a claw machine, you may find some as low as 10 yen (about $0.09) for small prizes per game.
You can still expect cookies and candy from some machines. However, most of these claw machines are all about soft, squishy plush stuffed animals. These stuffed animals make it challenging to walk away from the claw machine.
You can also find figurines of beloved anime characters, prize figures, and hikkake figures. Hikkake figures are kawaii, aka super cute, figures that sit on top of a box or other similar surface. Many people love that these characters are perched on a box, so you can have them keep you company on any surface.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit gift store claw machine manufacturers.
We love the noodle stoppers that you can get from the crane vending machine! These toppers come in the form of different character figurines. They help hold your ramen cover from opening, so you get perfectly steamed ramen noodles every time.
Sure, you can play a few games at a nearby claw machine to try to win a prize. Or, you can enjoy these claw machine-inspired prizes without spending hours and money at the crane machines. Here are a few adorable plush toys that you'll love!
Alpha Mini Yoshi Plush
This mini Yoshi plush is super adorable, squishy (a prerequisite), and small enough to carry around or display. This Super Mario plushy will add a cute touch to your room. They also make great gifts.
Alpha Mini Kirby Plush
Need a friend for your mini Yoshi? Try adding this mini Kirby plush to your collection. It even comes with a keychain, so you can easily attach it to a purse or backpack.
Lig Gudetama Talking Plush
If you want to take your plush collection to the next level, you can check out this Gudetama plushy that talks! It does a little dance and repeats what you say in any language. This is one plush that you’ll want to display front and center.
While Bokksu Boutique has adorable toys, it's also full of delicious Japanese snacks and Japanese candy. You can enjoy Japanese sweets or try a Japanese candy box if you have a sweet tooth. Not sure what to order? Try a Japanese snack subscription box. This Japanese snack box is packed with authentic Japanese treats that are sweet and savory.
See a real crane game in action with our TikTok!
By Krystina Quintana
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