History of Slot Machines
The history of slots is an intriguing story that evolves over time, from the very first mechanical reel slots to the innovative video slots of today. Slots history dates all the way back over a hundred years to 1895 where a San Francisco auto mechanic by the name of Charles Fey introduced the very first slot machine, The Liberty Bell.
We can actually go back about 4 years earlier where Pitt and Sittman of New York built a 5-drum machine displaying poker hands, but this is technically a Video Poker game, not a slot machine. Fey got his idea from this invention, but added in the ability to automatically payout winnings to the player.
The Liberty Bell contained 3 reels with symbols that included the liberty bell and playing card suits, heart, diamond, spade and horseshoe. The maximum payout was $0.50 for landing three liberty bells. In those days, $0.50 was a tidy sum.
Fey’s Liberty Bell was successful in local area pubs, but it was difficult to expand on his idea since the slot machine was devised from over 100 pounds of cast iron. Needless to say, mobility was an issue. The history of slots is preserved to this day in Reno’s Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant, owned by grandchildren of Charles Fey, where the original Liberty Belle slot is still displayed.
In 1910 the Operator Bell was introduced, becoming the first in a long line of slots throughout history termed “Fruit Machines”. The Operator Bell was much like the Liberty Bell, but the symbols were the cherry, plum, bar, etc. The purpose of the machine was to mask it as a vending machine, as slots were becoming outlawed in parts of California and Nevada. By giving out gum as a prize, instead of cash, it was not breaking the law.
The Operator Bell’s developer, Mills Novelty Co., continued to revolutionize the slot machine industry by doing away with cast iron slots in 1915. Creating sturdy and less expensive wooden cabinets, slot machines became much easier to build and transport. Mills Novelty continued its innovative streak with less noisy machines, double jackpots and themed facades in the 1930s.
Las Vegas Slot Machine History
Around this time, Nevada was opening its eyes to gambling once more, and slots became a major part of Las Vegas casinos. It is said that the reason so many slots lined the casino walls was to keep the wives busy while the men wasted the hours away in the closed off poker rooms, where no women were allowed. Slots machines effectively kept the women entertained so they didn’t complain about their men’s gambling habits.
By the late 60’s, early 70’s, slot machines developers found a new way to build slot machines, eliminating the mechanical aspect found in classic reel slots and integrating programmed computer chips. Hus the video slot was born. The computer chip contained everything the slot machine needed, including the symbols, winning combinations, payouts and the most innovative design of all, the Random Number Generator (RNG).
Slot Machines Random Number Generator
RNGs tell the slot machine what percentage to payout out over a certain period of time, but give the machine free reign over when the payouts occur, and at what size. Thus there is no predicting the outcome of any spin. A jackpot could hit twice in a day on the same machine, or only once in a two year period. RNGs are used in all modern slot machines, and every online slot machine found today.
Slots history has taken us in many directions over the years and, as technology continues to progress, we are sure to discover more milestones in the history of slots as time ticks on.
Now that you know the history, are you ready to play at the latest and greatest online slot machines? There are many great casinos on the Internet to choose from when playing slots, our current #1 favorite online casino is Slots Oasis.
