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"...a market economy is essentially a genetic algorithm for solving resource allocation problems..."
- Charles Stross

Automatic-Electric Packing Machine  
  A device able to pack randomly shaped objects combined into a single package automatically.  

Alice was much impressed with the automatic-electric packing machines.

The clerk making the sale placed the purchased articles on a metal platform. He then pressed several buttons on a small switchboard, which operated the "size" apparatus to obtain the dimensions of the package. After the last button was pressed, the platform rose about two feet, till it disappeared into a large metal, box-like contrivance. In abut ten to fifteen seconds it came down again bearing on its surface a neat white box with a handle at the top, all in one piece. The box was not fastened with any strings or tape, but was folded in an ingenious manner so that it could not open of its own accord...

The automatic packing machine could pack anything from a small package a few inches square up to a box two feet high by three feet long.

Technovelgy from Ralph 124c 41 +, by Hugo Gernsback.
Published by Modern Electrics in 1911
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Additional resources:
  More Ideas and Technology from Ralph 124c 41 +
  More Ideas and Technology by Hugo Gernsback
  Tech news articles related to Ralph 124c 41 +
  Tech news articles related to works by Hugo Gernsback

Automatic-Electric Packing Machine-related news articles:
  - Amazon Automatic Packaging Catches Up With Gernsback's 1911 Book

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