The history and evolution of slot machines is a testament to the ingenuity of the gambling industry. They attract players from Charles Fey’s mechanical Liberty Bell games of the late 19th century to today’s technologically advanced video slots.
Traditionally, slot machines work by spinning reels with images on them. If the pictures match the winning line, you win.
Liberty Bell
In the 19th century, Charles Fey introduced the world to the first mechanical slot machine. His invention of the Liberty Bell machine was a radical game changer, revolutionizing the way slot machines are played, and still influences modern game developers today. Three mechanical reels featured symbols such as horseshoes, diamonds, spades and hearts. You could bet a nickel or a dime on these machines, and the hope was to line up winning symbol combinations on the reels. The Liberty Bell machine was so popular that it was sold in bowling alleys, cigar stores and saloons.
Fey’s success paved the way for other manufacturers to produce their versions of slot machines, and they quickly became popular in bars in San Francisco and beyond. However, these early mechanical slot machines needed to be more clunky and toautomapayouts. The New York company Sittman and Pitt released the first true electromechanical slot machine in 1891, but these machines were less successful than the Fay machines.
In 1907, Herbert Mills developed the Bell Operator Machine, a major advancement in slot machine technology. This new machine had an electrical system for spinning the reels and could automatically pay out prizes when winning symbols lined up. This allowed more players to play slot machines, and the popularity of these machines grew exponentially.
Money, Honey
The attraction of players to slot machines is timeless, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing down. These machines, the cornerstone of casinos, attract players with flashing lights and promises of big payouts. Although slot machines have undergone significant changes, the basic gameplay has remained unchanged.
Charles Fey invented the first mechanical slot machines in the late 19th century. His Liberty Bell machine was a three-reel game with various symbols, including horseshoes, diamonds, spades and hearts. The game was so successful that Fey began expanding it to bars and salons. This marked the beginning of the era of electromechanical machines.
Chicago manufacturer Herbert Mills’ “Operator Bell” was another machine that used a staggered stop to provide automatic payouts and simplify winning combinations. He also introduced the fruit symbols, still used in online slot machines today.
In the 1970s, Bally developed the first fully electromechanical machine, eliminating the need for a side arm. Their Money Honey machine was a huge success, leading to the widespread use of electronic slot machines.
At the end of the 20th century, computer technology allowed slot machines to have a bonus round on a second screen. WMS’s Reel’ Em In was the first to use this new feature, giving players another reason to play. This era also saw the introduction of progressive jackpots, further increasing the appeal of these games.
Video Slot
In the 1970s, technology began transforming slot machines, with electromechanical devices replacing mechanical ones. These machines allowed for more complex gameplay and new features such as jackpots.
Around this time, manufacturers began to focus on visual appeal, with many games featuring attractive designs and themes. These changes were met with some resistance, perhaps because players were accustomed to a simpler style of mechanical slots.
The first video slot was introduced in 1976 by Fortune Coin Company and used a Sony Trinitron colour screen to display virtual reels. This opened up a world of possibilities for slot developers, including introducing bonus games on a second screen and more engaging gameplay.
This era also saw the introduction of slot machines, offering multiple ways to win, which are now standard in most modern casino games. These games are called multi-line slot machines and provide the opportunity to hit a progressive jackpot.
The history of slot machines is one of continuity and evolution, and it is clear that the genre remains incredibly popular. Whether played online or in land-based casinos, slot machines continue to attract players from all over the world. What’s more, the thrill of playing for a life-changing jackpot will remain at the core of slot machines for generations to come.