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History of Slot Machines
The history of slot machines dates back to the late 19th centaury. The Slot Machine is a relative newcomer to the casino world
and thus rather easily traced back. Even before the slot machine variation created by Charles Fey we can find earlier
versions as far back as 1870.
In most people’s opinion , the history of slot machines traces back to Charles Fey which in 1894 created a device that cannot be
called a slot machine by present day standards. Nevertheless he is considered the godfather of slot machines.
A bit about Charles Fey, originally from Bavarian country in Germany, Charles Fay immigrated to the United States. First to New Jersey, later on moving West. After settling down in California, Charles Fey was diagnosed with Tuberculosis, with low survival rates.
Regardless of his illness, Charles Fey survived and moved on to create what we know today as Slot Machines.
Being a Mechanical Engineer in heart, Charles has a great fascination with all mechanical and moving objects. (probably dates back
to a period of time he spent at a Munich tool factory.
Fey's first attempt at a slot machines shared many qualities in shape and size with modern day slot machines but used cards instead
of fruit or other graphics. This was in fact the first real appearance of a slot machine. Later on Fey became extremely famous with
his Liberty Bell slot machine. Cast of Iron, this 3 real slot machine had 10 different symbols on each real. A winning spin would matched all 3
reels in the pay line and give a winning sound. This 1:1000 jackpot slot machine is still one of the most recognized slot machines in history.
The early history of slot machines is considered by many to be the "Mechanical Era" in which slot machines such as
the Liberty Bell ruled. Charles Fey himself rented out 50% of the slot machines he built.
Another recognizable name at the time was the " Mills Novelty Company machines".
In 1910 this firm created a slight variation of the original
Liberty Bell, weighing in at over 100 pounds, these unique machines offered colorful fruit icons instead of card. Around 30000 were made. The same Mills
firm later moved on to create less expensive variations of its slot machines ( early 1930's, mainly made of wood), which in turn led
to a widespread and increase of popularity of slot machines
Moving forward in time, we move into what is commonly referred to as the "Electromechanical Era" of slot machines.
Most slot machines made in the mid
20th centaury were electromechanical and used engines to operate. One of the key breakthroughs in the history of
slot machines occurred in the 1940's.
Bugsy Siegel had added slot machines to his Flamingo Hotel casino in Vegas.
Intended to "keep the wives happy" originally, the machines were a huge success.
The most famous slot machine
of the time must have been "Big Bertha"an 8 reel, 20 symbol per real behemoth which had a jackpot rate of
1 to 25.6 Billion.
Following the boom of Slot Machine popularity in the mid 40's came the time of computer controlled slot machines, or the
"Computerized Era". These RNG ( Random number generator) controlled machines now account for the vast majority of slot machines.
Many machines now do not use coins and offer video simulation of reels, the online slots has also become
a huge success. Allowing players to play from the comfort and privacy of their homes.
Today slot machines account for more than 2/3 of casino profit, remarkable based on the fact that historically they were
intended as a "wife pleaser".
We cannot forget the origins and history of slot machines though, it all traces back to a mechanics nut with a little too much
spare time. Who would have thought that Charles Fey's spare time hobby would become the biggest craze in online gambling
history!
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