If you've ever shopped at Woolworths, you've probably walked past the strange-looking vacuum tubes that are located at the checkout counters.

But do you know how these vacuum sucky things actually operate? Or even what they’re for? We didn’t!

Well, one store worker took the liberty of showing us!

A Woolworths employee named Noah Townley uploaded a post on Woolworths’ official account in response to a user’s question, which read ‘How do those tube things next to you work? And where does it go?’

The video starts with him in front of the said ‘tube things’ with a capsule in hand.

‘Hi, I’m here at Woolworths to show you how our vacuum sucky things work,’ he began, but not before immediately realising what he named the tubes.

Woolies employee Noah explained how to operate the store’s ‘vacuum sucky things’ in a recent TikTok post on the official Woolworths account. Image Credit: TikTok/@woolworths_au

‘Yeah, there needs to be a better name, surely. Does anyone have a dictionary?’

He’s quick on his feet, considering what he termed the tubes next.

‘These magical vacuum teleportation devices send cash to a secure location,’ he explained.

All a team member has to do, according to Noah, is place the capsule inside the tube and press the ‘OK’ button on the number pad.

‘And then… it’s gone,’ he said after the tub went up with a rather satisfying swish.

Many social media users who came across Woolworths' video flocked to the comments section to share their remarks.

Of course, a few were able to correctly identify the name of the tubes.

‘It’s called a Lamson tube system,’ the top reply read. ‘We use them in the hospital.’

‘Ah! So not “vacuum sucky thing”. Thanks for sharing,’ Noah replied.

But the user relented, and said: ‘I guess “vacuum sucky thing” also works, everyone will surely know what you mean.’

Source: TikTok/@woolworths_au​

‘A PTS — pneumatic tube system,’ another added, which appears to be another correct name for Woolies’ “vacuum sucky thing”.

Other names such as ‘sucky hole thingo’, ‘pickup chute’, and ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ were also mentioned in the comments.

Some users who were familiar with the pneumatic tubes also said they simply placed the capsules in the tubes.

‘We don’t even press OK,’ one added, which another user followed up with ‘Me either, you just hold it there for a second and it’ll take it.’

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths employee has revealed how their vacuum cash tubes (pneumatic tube system) work.
  
• Noah demonstrated his explanation by placing a small tube filled with cash inside the vacuum.
  
• Many flocked to the comments of the post to share their amusement with the tool.
  
• Others though took the cue from Noah and suggested funny names, including ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ and ‘sucky hole thingo’.
  
• Some meanwhile explained that the tubes are necessary in stores like Woolies as a security measure to keep registers from having too much money in the till.

And lastly, on a more serious note, some users explained why the feature was necessary for some settings.

‘For safety reasons,’ one user explained. ‘(Cashiers) can’t keep more than a certain amount in the till at all times. Convenient way of sending it to the safe.’

Another user who claimed to be a former Woolies employee added: ‘And to also order change for the register!’

According to the website of Lamson, pneumatic tubes using vacuum technology have been around since the early 1900s. At present, aside from healthcare and retail settings, they’re also used in the entertainment sector to transport chips and money in casinos.

On the topic of Woolworths, here are some recent stories we have about the retail giant:

• 'Outrageous': Woolworths employee sparks debate after revealing the truth behind this 'secret' trolley hook
• Get ready, Woolworths is bringing back a beloved collectables range!
• Woolworths shopper’s revolting find in her salad sparks outrage

So, what are your thoughts on Woolies’ pneumatic tubes, a.k.a ‘vacuum sucky things’? Do you know of other places where the feature could be found? Can you think of a better name for it?

Share your opinions and comments below!

Source: YouTube/Lamson​

 

[DavidEsplin]

I too remember going to stores in London when I was young & seeing this system in use. At least you got the right change, unlike the ones on the tills today who mostly can't count change back to you but rely on the till to tell them the correct change to give. Progress isn't always progress.

The old way of counting change back to someone always seemed to me to be ripe for skimming a few cents from each transaction if someone was disreputable. I can't count the number of times they would attempt to short-change me when I was a child. I much prefer the way it's done today ... or the way it would be done if anyone actually bought things with cash.

 

[Gsr]

Amazing inventions, the sucking air pressure would almost take your hand with it, we put the money in a sealed plastic bag and had to put our hand inside the tube til the bag got sucked up, it went into a safe upstairs in the locked cash room that only the security cash delivery people could access. Now we put all out cash into a machine near our main service area. This machine counts the daily takings from each register and spits out the details on a slip of paper with the details on it. It also spits out the correct float onto every register each morning before the store opens. Up until the late 80s one of the stores I shopped in had a rope and pulley system, money was placed in a basket and sent up to the cashier via the pulley system, a few minutes later a bell rang and the basket returned with your change. As a child it was fascinating to watch.

 

[Thecla]

I thought everyone knew what these were used for

Exactly!! They have been around since Adam was a boy

 

[Thecla]

Amazing inventions, the sucking air pressure would almost take your hand with it, we put the money in a sealed plastic bag and had to put our hand inside the tube til the bag got sucked up, it went into a safe upstairs in the locked cash room that only the security cash delivery people could access. Now we put all out cash into a machine near our main service area. This machine counts the daily takings from each register and spits out the details on a slip of paper with the details on it. It also spits out the correct float onto every register each morning before the store opens. Up until the late 80s one of the stores I shopped in had a rope and pulley system, money was placed in a basket and sent up to the cashier via the pulley system, a few minutes later a bell rang and the basket returned with your change. As a child it was fascinating to watch.

When I first started work in the bank quite a few years ago the Ledger Department was upstairs because of lack of floor space. All the cheque books and deposit books were in big metal trays up there as well. When a customer came in and wanted just a cheque book or deposit book the order chit was put in the pull trolly thing with a clear Perspex front and sent upstairs and we would then get the relative book and send it back down. The older workers in the bank didn't appreciate the oranges that came down with faces drawn on them. Ledger Department was then squeezed in downstairs but you still had to run upstairs to get the books.

 

[JustPat]

I can remember it in some supermarket's back in the 1970's and 1980's.

 

[JustPat]

Going into later years where supermarkets had cash registers and still had the tube systems, the tube systems were used to send excess cash to the accountancy office instead of the bag system they use now; personally, thinking I believe the tube system is safer.

 

[Ducky2]

If you've ever shopped at Woolworths, you've probably walked past the strange-looking vacuum tubes that are located at the checkout counters.

But do you know how these vacuum sucky things actually operate? Or even what they’re for? We didn’t!

Well, one store worker took the liberty of showing us!

A Woolworths employee named Noah Townley uploaded a post on Woolworths’ official account in response to a user’s question, which read ‘How do those tube things next to you work? And where does it go?’

The video starts with him in front of the said ‘tube things’ with a capsule in hand.

‘Hi, I’m here at Woolworths to show you how our vacuum sucky things work,’ he began, but not before immediately realising what he named the tubes.

View attachment 12896

Woolies employee Noah explained how to operate the store’s ‘vacuum sucky things’ in a recent TikTok post on the official Woolworths account. Image Credit: TikTok/@woolworths_au

‘Yeah, there needs to be a better name, surely. Does anyone have a dictionary?’

He’s quick on his feet, considering what he termed the tubes next.

‘These magical vacuum teleportation devices send cash to a secure location,’ he explained.

All a team member has to do, according to Noah, is place the capsule inside the tube and press the ‘OK’ button on the number pad.

‘And then… it’s gone,’ he said after the tub went up with a rather satisfying swish.

Many social media users who came across Woolworths' video flocked to the comments section to share their remarks.

Of course, a few were able to correctly identify the name of the tubes.

‘It’s called a Lamson tube system,’ the top reply read. ‘We use them in the hospital.’

‘Ah! So not “vacuum sucky thing”. Thanks for sharing,’ Noah replied.

But the user relented, and said: ‘I guess “vacuum sucky thing” also works, everyone will surely know what you mean.’

Source: TikTok/@woolworths_au​

‘A PTS — pneumatic tube system,’ another added, which appears to be another correct name for Woolies’ “vacuum sucky thing”.

Other names such as ‘sucky hole thingo’, ‘pickup chute’, and ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ were also mentioned in the comments.

Some users who were familiar with the pneumatic tubes also said they simply placed the capsules in the tubes.

‘We don’t even press OK,’ one added, which another user followed up with ‘Me either, you just hold it there for a second and it’ll take it.’

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths employee has revealed how their vacuum cash tubes (pneumatic tube system) work.
• Noah demonstrated his explanation by placing a small tube filled with cash inside the vacuum.
• Many flocked to the comments of the post to share their amusement with the tool.
• Others though took the cue from Noah and suggested funny names, including ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ and ‘sucky hole thingo’.
• Some meanwhile explained that the tubes are necessary in stores like Woolies as a security measure to keep registers from having too much money in the till.

And lastly, on a more serious note, some users explained why the feature was necessary for some settings.

‘For safety reasons,’ one user explained. ‘(Cashiers) can’t keep more than a certain amount in the till at all times. Convenient way of sending it to the safe.’

Another user who claimed to be a former Woolies employee added: ‘And to also order change for the register!’

According to the website of Lamson, pneumatic tubes using vacuum technology have been around since the early 1900s. At present, aside from healthcare and retail settings, they’re also used in the entertainment sector to transport chips and money in casinos.

On the topic of Woolworths, here are some recent stories we have about the retail giant:

• 'Outrageous': Woolworths employee sparks debate after revealing the truth behind this 'secret' trolley hook
• Get ready, Woolworths is bringing back a beloved collectables range!
• Woolworths shopper’s revolting find in her salad sparks outrage

So, what are your thoughts on Woolies’ pneumatic tubes, a.k.a ‘vacuum sucky things’? Do you know of other places where the feature could be found? Can you think of a better name for it?

Share your opinions and comments below!

Source: YouTube/Lamson​

 

[Ducky2]

Good lord these were in use when I was a kid in the 1950s not as flash but nevertheless there and they are a safe guard for cash operators

 

[Luckyus]

If you've ever shopped at Woolworths, you've probably walked past the strange-looking vacuum tubes that are located at the checkout counters.

But do you know how these vacuum sucky things actually operate? Or even what they’re for? We didn’t!

Well, one store worker took the liberty of showing us!

A Woolworths employee named Noah Townley uploaded a post on Woolworths’ official account in response to a user’s question, which read ‘How do those tube things next to you work? And where does it go?’

The video starts with him in front of the said ‘tube things’ with a capsule in hand.

‘Hi, I’m here at Woolworths to show you how our vacuum sucky things work,’ he began, but not before immediately realising what he named the tubes.

View attachment 12896

Woolies employee Noah explained how to operate the store’s ‘vacuum sucky things’ in a recent TikTok post on the official Woolworths account. Image Credit: TikTok/@woolworths_au

‘Yeah, there needs to be a better name, surely. Does anyone have a dictionary?’

He’s quick on his feet, considering what he termed the tubes next.

‘These magical vacuum teleportation devices send cash to a secure location,’ he explained.

All a team member has to do, according to Noah, is place the capsule inside the tube and press the ‘OK’ button on the number pad.

‘And then… it’s gone,’ he said after the tub went up with a rather satisfying swish.

Many social media users who came across Woolworths' video flocked to the comments section to share their remarks.

Of course, a few were able to correctly identify the name of the tubes.

‘It’s called a Lamson tube system,’ the top reply read. ‘We use them in the hospital.’

‘Ah! So not “vacuum sucky thing”. Thanks for sharing,’ Noah replied.

But the user relented, and said: ‘I guess “vacuum sucky thing” also works, everyone will surely know what you mean.’

Source: TikTok/@woolworths_au​

‘A PTS — pneumatic tube system,’ another added, which appears to be another correct name for Woolies’ “vacuum sucky thing”.

Other names such as ‘sucky hole thingo’, ‘pickup chute’, and ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ were also mentioned in the comments.

Some users who were familiar with the pneumatic tubes also said they simply placed the capsules in the tubes.

‘We don’t even press OK,’ one added, which another user followed up with ‘Me either, you just hold it there for a second and it’ll take it.’

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths employee has revealed how their vacuum cash tubes (pneumatic tube system) work.
• Noah demonstrated his explanation by placing a small tube filled with cash inside the vacuum.
• Many flocked to the comments of the post to share their amusement with the tool.
• Others though took the cue from Noah and suggested funny names, including ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ and ‘sucky hole thingo’.
• Some meanwhile explained that the tubes are necessary in stores like Woolies as a security measure to keep registers from having too much money in the till.

And lastly, on a more serious note, some users explained why the feature was necessary for some settings.

‘For safety reasons,’ one user explained. ‘(Cashiers) can’t keep more than a certain amount in the till at all times. Convenient way of sending it to the safe.’

Another user who claimed to be a former Woolies employee added: ‘And to also order change for the register!’

According to the website of Lamson, pneumatic tubes using vacuum technology have been around since the early 1900s. At present, aside from healthcare and retail settings, they’re also used in the entertainment sector to transport chips and money in casinos.

On the topic of Woolworths, here are some recent stories we have about the retail giant:

• 'Outrageous': Woolworths employee sparks debate after revealing the truth behind this 'secret' trolley hook
• Get ready, Woolworths is bringing back a beloved collectables range!
• Woolworths shopper’s revolting find in her salad sparks outrage

So, what are your thoughts on Woolies’ pneumatic tubes, a.k.a ‘vacuum sucky things’? Do you know of other places where the feature could be found? Can you think of a better name for it?

Share your opinions and comments below!

Source: YouTube/Lamson​

These have been around for as long as I can remember.

 

[Old one]

If you've ever shopped at Woolworths, you've probably walked past the strange-looking vacuum tubes that are located at the checkout counters.

But do you know how these vacuum sucky things actually operate? Or even what they’re for? We didn’t!

Well, one store worker took the liberty of showing us!

A Woolworths employee named Noah Townley uploaded a post on Woolworths’ official account in response to a user’s question, which read ‘How do those tube things next to you work? And where does it go?’

The video starts with him in front of the said ‘tube things’ with a capsule in hand.

‘Hi, I’m here at Woolworths to show you how our vacuum sucky things work,’ he began, but not before immediately realising what he named the tubes.

View attachment 12896

Woolies employee Noah explained how to operate the store’s ‘vacuum sucky things’ in a recent TikTok post on the official Woolworths account. Image Credit: TikTok/@woolworths_au

‘Yeah, there needs to be a better name, surely. Does anyone have a dictionary?’

He’s quick on his feet, considering what he termed the tubes next.

‘These magical vacuum teleportation devices send cash to a secure location,’ he explained.

All a team member has to do, according to Noah, is place the capsule inside the tube and press the ‘OK’ button on the number pad.

‘And then… it’s gone,’ he said after the tub went up with a rather satisfying swish.

Many social media users who came across Woolworths' video flocked to the comments section to share their remarks.

Of course, a few were able to correctly identify the name of the tubes.

‘It’s called a Lamson tube system,’ the top reply read. ‘We use them in the hospital.’

‘Ah! So not “vacuum sucky thing”. Thanks for sharing,’ Noah replied.

But the user relented, and said: ‘I guess “vacuum sucky thing” also works, everyone will surely know what you mean.’

Source: TikTok/@woolworths_au​

‘A PTS — pneumatic tube system,’ another added, which appears to be another correct name for Woolies’ “vacuum sucky thing”.

Other names such as ‘sucky hole thingo’, ‘pickup chute’, and ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ were also mentioned in the comments.

Some users who were familiar with the pneumatic tubes also said they simply placed the capsules in the tubes.

‘We don’t even press OK,’ one added, which another user followed up with ‘Me either, you just hold it there for a second and it’ll take it.’

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths employee has revealed how their vacuum cash tubes (pneumatic tube system) work.
• Noah demonstrated his explanation by placing a small tube filled with cash inside the vacuum.
• Many flocked to the comments of the post to share their amusement with the tool.
• Others though took the cue from Noah and suggested funny names, including ‘air vacuum transportation device 9000’ and ‘sucky hole thingo’.
• Some meanwhile explained that the tubes are necessary in stores like Woolies as a security measure to keep registers from having too much money in the till.

And lastly, on a more serious note, some users explained why the feature was necessary for some settings.

‘For safety reasons,’ one user explained. ‘(Cashiers) can’t keep more than a certain amount in the till at all times. Convenient way of sending it to the safe.’

Another user who claimed to be a former Woolies employee added: ‘And to also order change for the register!’

According to the website of Lamson, pneumatic tubes using vacuum technology have been around since the early 1900s. At present, aside from healthcare and retail settings, they’re also used in the entertainment sector to transport chips and money in casinos.

On the topic of Woolworths, here are some recent stories we have about the retail giant:

• 'Outrageous': Woolworths employee sparks debate after revealing the truth behind this 'secret' trolley hook
• Get ready, Woolworths is bringing back a beloved collectables range!
• Woolworths shopper’s revolting find in her salad sparks outrage

So, what are your thoughts on Woolies’ pneumatic tubes, a.k.a ‘vacuum sucky things’? Do you know of other places where the feature could be found? Can you think of a better name for it?

Share your opinions and comments below!

Source: YouTube/LamsonThey we’re good for sending live mice to the girls in the top office too​

 

[Old one]

These have been around for as long as I can remember.

 

[Old one]

They were good for sending the odd live mouse up to the top office girls too

 

[Happy girl.]

i am 83 and i remember these being used in department stores when i would have been 6-7. old hat returned for use. well i never!! mind you this was in NZ

Same, same. I'm from Manchester in England and they were used at the co-op.

 

[Jimbar]

I can remember the vacuum tube system in Lucas Department Store in Rockhampton in the 1950's. They were use to transfer money up to the tellers in the main office. Other Stores had the old "Flying Fox" system where the money, etc were placed in a screw on container and then fired up a cable to the Office above the floor of the store. All these went out when cash Registers became cheaper to purchase and were introduced .

 

[MindyMac]

An old system that still works well today. I had these at checkout when I worked. They also had them in stores like David Jones, Grace Bros (now Myers), Waltons, Franklins, Flemings, Woolworths, Coles ... even at the TAB, places that took cash payments, even people paying their bills.