Abstract: A time of last sale recording device for a newspaper vending machine. The time recorder uses a proximity sensor to send a signal to a predetermining subtracting counter for each time the vending machine door is opened. One digit is subtracted each time the door is opened (newspaper removed). When the counter goes to zero, the hour meter stops and that is the time of last sale. The data recorded is useful in determining the number of newspapers to leave in the vending machine at future dates. Vending machine sales can be optimized when coupled with other marketing information.