These New Vending Machines Print Out Free Short Stories For Commuters

Will Noble
By Will Noble Last edited 59 months ago
These New Vending Machines Print Out Free Short Stories For Commuters

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Not a late April Fool's - this is actually happening

Struggling to finish that novel you've had on the go for six months? Try using Canary Wharf's short story vending machines instead.

Machines that print out uber-short stories at the touch of a button will be installed around the Canary Wharf estate this week — dispensing one, three and five-minute long tales. Ideal for short commutes, then.

It's the brainchild of French company, Short Edition, which has already installed similar machines in France, Hong Kong and the USA. Stories are printed out on eco-friendly papyrus, and are free of cost.

What are the stories about?

Reading is becoming something of a lost art, according to Canary Wharf's research. Image: Shutterstock

They'll cover a range of genres, including crime, feel-good fiction, and condensed stories from classic authors including Virginia Woolf and Charles Dickens.

An exclusive whodunnit short story, Mr Robinson, has been written by Anthony Horowitz. Says the author:

I've always loved the challenge of the short story — creating a whole world in just a few pages. Here's a whodunnit, complete with suspects and clues, that can be started and finished in just a minute. I hope it will entertain tube travellers who will know, at least, that they won't have the frustration of having to get off before the end!

Research by Canary Wharf reveals that over 53 million books are left unfinished in the UK every year. A lack of time is often given as the reason. This initiative hopes to encourage Londoners to get back into reading, particularly while riding public transport.

Mr Robinson will be available at Canary Wharf from 4 April.

Last Updated 02 April 2019