Sir Allen Lane was originally inspired to create Penguin Books when he couldn't find a good book to read at the station in the Devon city, and the publisher said it had decided to go back to its roots “to ensure modern day commuters won't face the same problem”.
Exeter City of Literature stated: “In 1934 Sir Allen Lane was waiting at Exeter St. Davids for a train back to London after visiting his friend Agatha Christie who lived in Devon, and found himself without a book to read. All that was on offer at the station bookstall were magazines and Victorian reprints.
“Right then and there he decided that high quality, engaging, and reasonably priced books should be available to everyone, anywhere.
“The following year saw history made with the birth of the paperback as Penguin Books released their first ten titles.”
10 months after founding Penguin Books, Lane also devised The Penguincubator, a futuristic machine on Charing Cross Road in London that offered a selection of Penguin titles.
Anna Cohn Orchard, executive director at Exeter City of Literature, knew of Penguin’s history and approached the business in 2021 with the idea for a book vending machine at the site of Penguin’s origin.
This has now been achieved following a collaboration between Penguin Books, Great Western Railway, Graddons Vending, and Bookbag.
Cohn Orchard said: “I grew up in Exeter, but didn’t learn about Penguin’s history until, ironically, I was working in publishing in New York. When I took on my current role, I knew I wanted to promote Exeter and Devon’s interesting, and often hidden, literary history to a much wider audience.
“This incredible invention, made possible by Penguin’s enthusiastic support and the work of a local vending machine company, will not only make reading more accessible to everyone who steps foot onto St. Davids, but it will shine a light on how Devon has inspired so many great figures in the literary world.”
Titles currently available in the vending machine include 1984 by George Orwell, The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman, Grown Ups by Marian Keyes, and Big Sky by Kate Atkinson, among numerous others.
Zainab Juma, head of brand at Penguin, said: “When Exeter City of Literature approached us about the Penguin Books vending machine, we knew immediately that it was the perfect way to celebrate our origins.
“Whiling away your time with a book is one of the great pleasures of train travel and this machine is just what our founder Allen Lane would have wanted to see as he set off on his journey.
“We’re especially pleased that the vending machine will benefit Bookbag, a local independent bookstore, and Exeter City of Literature, who do brilliant work celebrating Exeter’s literary history and making books and reading more accessible in the local community.”
Amanda Burns, GWR director of sales and marketing, also commented: “We are proud of our long affiliation with Penguin Books, which dates back nearly 90 years.
“This book vending machine is a wonderful addition to Exeter St Davids station and is already proving popular with customers.
“Many of us love a good book to read on a relaxing railway journey to an iconic destination and this installation means you can pick up a Penguin Book just before you travel.”
The Guardian reported that the books are on sale for their recommended retail price, and that the titles in the machine will be changed on a regular basis, to include a mix of new books and older titles. The newspaper said key moments would be highlighted during the year through the titles on offer, inlcuding LGBTQ+ History Month, Black History Month, and COP28.
