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The origins of the slot machine

You’ll see them in pubs, clubs, bookmakers, hotels and casinos to name but a few – but what is it that makes slot machines so entertaining? Perhaps it’s the colourful themes, sound effects, the bright lights or of course, the chance to win instant cash prizes.

First

1887- 1895: The inventor of the first slot machine was Charles Augustus Fey. There were no details of the invention date. However, it is said that this machine was manufactured between 1887-1895. The first-ever slot machine Before we get to the first-ever slot machine, we should mention its precursor. In 1891, Sittman and Pitt, a company based in Brooklyn, New York, developed. With this machine, players could win up to 500 coins. As time went by, developers removed the lever from electromechanical slot machines. The Emergence of Video Slots. The first video slot was launched between 1976 and 1978. Fortune Coin developed this first video slot, which was manufactured in Kearny Mesa, California. Know About Slot Gaming. The origins of slot machines. The very first slot machine was created in San Francisco by Charles Fey in 1887. However, many debates that the first slot machine was completed in 1895. The original slot machine had a simpler mechanism than the slot machine you see in 918Kiss online casino today.

Charles Fey is believed to have perfected his invention in either 1887 or 1895, although today’s slots have little in common with the original machines that were actually based on cards.

Ever since slot machines have been made widely available and accessible, the interest in them has continued to increase as software and gaming developers continue to improve users’ experience to make them as enticing as possible. But where did it all begin? Let’s take a look through the history of the slot machine. Before we do, be sure to check out the latest online slots via Betfair.

19th century development

You have to go all the way back to 1891 to trace the origins of the slot machine, which was developed by New York based company Sittman and Pitt. As you can imagine, the slot machine was fairly basic compared to what we know today and contained five drums with a total of 50 playing cards – with the aim of making a winning poker hand to be awarded a pay-out.

These slot machines would typically be found in bars and casinos, costing just a nickel to play and the user would have to pull down a lever to start the game. It wasn’t often that users won, as the house edge was increased as the ten of spades and jack of hearts were removed, cutting the chance of getting a royal flush in half.

First Slot Machine 1887 Penny

First Slot Machine 1887

Although Sittman and Pitt are recognised as being the company to develop the first slot machine, Charles Augustus Frey is credited with actually inventing the first prototype between 1887 and 1895. Frey altered the way slot machines worked somewhat and replaced the existing five drums with three reels.

Frey also replaced the playing cards with symbols – hearts, diamonds, spades, horseshoe and a liberty bell. Players would win by lining up three bells which in turn, saw the machine named Liberty Bell. Frey’s newly devised slot machine saw the popularity in playing them skyrocket, leading to the continued improvements over the coming decades.

20th century enhancements

At the turn of the 20th century, slot machines were banned in the United States which led to the development of the fruit machine. All the symbols were changed to represent different fruits and as opposed to cash prizes, players would win sweets and other similar treats. Hardly the same as real cash, but it carved open a new era for the fruit machine to flourish.

In 1907, manufacturer Herbert Mills devised another new slot machine, this time it was called the Operator Bell. Mills adopted the famous ‘BAR’ symbol which is still commonly seen today, thus starting the Bell-Fruit company which is still going strong.

It wasn’t until some 45 years later that slot machines developed into fully electromechanical machines, and the lever was removed as it was considered out dated. Popularity in the newly-improved slots increased tenfold and automatic pay-outs of up to £500 were awarded to jackpot winners.

First Slot Machine 1887 For Sale

From the 1970s onwards, slot machines underwent numerous tweaks and changes to keep improving players’ experiences. The first real video slot was introduced in 1976 and was quickly approved by the Nevada State Gaming Commission, seeing an explosion in popularity from players all over the US.

During the 1990s, slot machines hit another major milestone with the release of “Reel Em”. This was the first-ever slot to incorporate a second screen bonus round, which provided players with a stronger chance of winning and altered the way slots would be played in the future. Reel Em was a major hit in bars and casinos throughout the US and the start of the 21st century has seen a range of improvements.

The vast majority of slot machines we see now days will have a theme based on a TV show or movie, and the pay outs have increased massively in recent times. The rise of online slot machines has seen a large number of players opting to try their luck via the internet, but at the end of the day, it was Frey’s invention that has provided a fun and entertaining way to gamble.

First Slot Machine 1887 Serial Numbers

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History of Slots

The history of the slot machine starts in 1887 in California when Charles Fey built the first one. This first slot machine looked a lot different from the ones today but it was the forerunner to all of them that have come since. This first slot machine had three reels with five symbols on each reel. The symbols that Fey used on his reels were a bell, spades, hearts, diamonds and a horseshoe. The three reels on this slot machine would spin and when they came to a stop, if any of the same symbols were lined up, then you would receive a win. Although it was illegal to gamble in California at that time, Fey found that the slot machine was popular in other states and so was able to sell, out of state, all the ones that he built.

The next slot machines were built in New York around 1891by Sittman and Pitts manufacturing. These slot machines were different to Fey’s in many ways. Firstly, the New York slot machines had five reels housing a total of 50 symbols. The symbols on these reels were playing cards and in order to win you have to have the symbols line up to form a poker hand.

It was in 1963 that the first truly and solely electromagnetic slot machine came into existence. This slot6 machine heralded automatic payouts of less than 500 coin wins, as opposed to having to have before, an attendant to assist you in collecting your winnings. This first electromagnetic slot was called Honey Money and was designed and manufactured by Bales Manufacturing.

Another land mark point in the history of slots came in 1976 as this was when the first video slot came into being. These new video slots were an immediate success on the Las Vegas strip and they remain today, possibly the most popular game in the casinos.

First Slot Machine 1887

Today with the emergence of on line slot machines, they are once again going through great changes as on line slots are by no way hampered by size which allows them to cater to even more themes.