Lucky Egg Machine

The Lucky Egg Machine – A Nostalgic Classic Lives On! 

Once upon a time, somewhere between bell-bottom jeans and Saturday morning cartoons, stood a magical little vending machine that needed only a single coin to spark a moment of joy. Known affectionately as the Lucky Egg Machine (or the Chicken Machine to some), it clucked its way into the hearts of kids and grown-ups alike during the 1970s and ’80s.

With a crank and a clink, out popped a colorful plastic egg, each hiding a mystery trinket inside. The magic? You never knew what you were going to get… and that was the fun of it.

🦴 Fred Flintstone & the 1978 Craze

In 1978, the Lucky Egg world got even more exciting. A new version arrived featuring none other than Fred Flintstone himself—mechanical and magnificent—dropping eggs with prehistoric flair. Kids crowded around in amazement as the cartoon caveman “laid” their surprise prize down the chute.

🇺🇸 Made in America – A Coast-to-Coast Craze

Manufactured by Bulk Manufacturing Co. in Milwaukie, Oregon, these machines soon dotted the country, from bustling grocery stores to cozy diners. You’d spot them at:

Chuck E. Cheese

Piggly Wiggly

Muzzy’s and local arcades

Family diners

Grocery and department stores

A coin, a crank, a colorful egg—and just like that, you were part of the magic.

The Lucky Egg Lives On… at Miss Kitty’ Old Time Photos and Gifts!

Fast forward a few decades, and that same sparkle lives on at Miss Kitty’s Old Time Photos & Gifts in Corolla, NC. Nestled in the heart of the Outer Banks, our very own working Lucky Egg machine is now delighting a new generation of dreamers and collectors.

Visitors to Miss Kitty’s Old Time Photos and Gifts in Corolla NC on the Outer Banks  often stop by for an Old Time Photo shoot or to browse our whimsical, retro-inspired gift shop. But just beyond the shelves of taffy, trinkets, and treasures, something magical awaits.

You’ll hear it before you see it, a faint “clunk” and the joyful squeal of a child. Or maybe, the soft chuckle of an adult reliving a memory they hadn’t thought about in years.

✨ Kids giggle with excitement.

✨ Adults are swept away by nostalgia.

✨ Everyone leaves with a prize, and a smile.

Just 25¢ — A prize every time!

Miss Kitty’s Old Time Photos and Gifts - where the past comes to life.

Stop on by and try your luck — some eggs contain memories and prizes!

Who knows what your egg will hold?

A sticker, a toy, a little keepsake… maybe even a memory waiting to be made.