Slot Machines Online - History of the Slot Machine

History of Slots

Invented by an American, slot machines have since become popular all around the world. As a 29 year-old Mechanic, Charles Fey manufactured the first reels for gaming in 1887. The first slot machines were manufactured by hand by Fey himself and placed in the local gambling palaces on a 50% rental basis. The first slot machine was called the Liberty Bell, how appropriate a name for the game that has become a symbol of American culture and capitalism. The original symbols included the standard playing card imagery we are all used to - hearts, diamonds and spades- along with bells, horseshoes and a star. This original slot machines can still be seen today in a collection at the Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant in Reno Nevada, which is owned and operated by Fey's family.

Presented in 1887 as a 'New Nickel Operated slot Machine', Charley Fey, machinist and gamer, provided the world with what would become a phenomenon. The San Francisco Chronicle described Fey's machine: "A machine featuring 3 reels mostly hidden with Horseshoes, Spades, Diamonds, Hearts, Bells symbols on reels. The device is operated by depositing a nickel in a slot to release the handle, when the right combination of symbols stop in the window the player is awarded coins ranging from 2, on 2 Horseshoes to 20 for 3 bells. Most of those present agreed the slot machine should be a great success"

Essentially, a slot machine has a cabinet containing three or more narrow cylindrical drums, commonly called reels, which are marked with symbols. Vertically disposed on a common axis, the reels are caused to revolve freely when a player activates the slot machine and pulls a lever-like handle affixed in the side of the cabinet. Payoffs are handled instantly, based on the horizontal alignment of symbols after the reels come to rest.