Do you want to know where the famous slot machines came from? Where it all started and how they evolved and changed over the years? This will give you a brief history of the slot machines.

1891-1908 

            The beginning of slot machines can be detected way back to the late 19th century. New York-based company, developed the first slot machine in 1891, Sittman and Pitt. The game had a total of 50 playing cards and had 5 drums. This machine is available in many bars and it cost a nickel to play. Players need to insert their coins and pull the lever. There are 2 cards removed to increase the house edge. The spades and jack of hearts. This machine had no straight payout mechanism. Players will get their win at the bar, such as free drinks and cigars.

            The first inventor of the slot machine is Charles Augustus Fey. There are no brief details about the date the first machine was created. It is believed to happen between 1887 to 1895. Fey invented this machine that would allow automatic payouts. He makes it easier for the machine to read a win on the game. This was attained by changing the existing 5 drums with 3 reels. The playing cards were also replaced by 5 symbols. The hearts, spades, diamonds, horseshoes, and a liberty bell. The machine was called the Liberty Bell. For the highest payout was granted for 3 bell symbols. This machine was copied by other slot machine manufacturers.

            Slot machines were banned officially in 1902. Yet, the Liberty Bell continued to produce. The age of the fruit machines started.  They used fruit symbols and prizes were paid out in chewing gum. And sweets of the corresponding flavor. A Chicago-based manufacturer, Herbert Mills produced a slot machine in 1907.  This is called Operator Bell. 

 1964

                       Money Honey, release by Bally in 1964, is the first fully electromechanical slot. Reels were operated electrically, yet, to start the game you need to pull the lever. This first slot machine enabled to make up to 500 coins as an automatic payout. This machine has a bottomless hopper.

1976-1978 

            The first true video was developed in 1976. The slot was produced in Kearny Mesa California by Fortune Coin, a Las Vegas-based company. The game used a 19 inch Sony TV for the display. It became well known in Las Vegas Strip. The Fortune Coin was obtained by IGT in 1978. 

1996 Onwards 

            “Reel ‘Em” by WMS Industries Inc. was released in 1996. It was the next milestone in the history of slots. The first video slot to have a second screen bonus round. A different screen was displayed when the bonus round was provoked. There are more extra payouts that could be won during this bonus round.

The Rise of Online Slots

            The style of the games is like land-based slot machines in the beginning. It has the same symbols and the same number of reels. Soon, a lot of new types of games comes out. With the unusual layout, structure, and interesting themes.  These days, there are online slots with more than 5 reels. There are different variety of themes, with innovative bonus rounds.

            There are only fewer amount of manufacturers of land-based fruit machines. While there are over 100 developers of online slots. Visit the game slot online for more details.