Mystery surrounds our "Star Wars" vending machine

Context: The "Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace" vending machine has been next to the firehouse since 1999 (when the film was released) and has worked for decades, according to Visit Pittsburgh.

• It eventually became a tourist attraction after it went viral years ago.
• Virtually every firehouse in Pittsburgh has an old vending machine doling out cheap cans of pop, but the Phantom Menace one apparently had enough nostalgic charm to capture the internet.

Friction point: Some people online are convinced the photos spreading around are an AI hoax, but Axios Pittsburgh visited the vending machine on Wednesday evening, and it's very real.

Zoom in: It appears to be a different vending machine than the original, with a different change machine and 10 buttons instead of nine.

• It didn't accept our dollar bill.

Between the lines: The apparent replacement has got the internet in a tizzy again, with many fans hoping the original is still intact.

Fire department officials, when reached Thursday, said they were not aware of the machine being replaced.

💭 Ryan's thought bubble: This stinks of an influencer stunt. We likely just have to wait until some thirsty poster reveals the truth and we can all revel in their groundbreaking prank.

If you go: 96 Virginia Ave., Mt. Washington