HISTORY OF SLOT MACHINES

The first Slot machine was believed to be invented in 1887 by Charles Fey, a mechanical engineer, from San Francisco. Fey agreed to give his slot machines to bars and gambling halls, in return he was given fifty percent of the amount, earned by these bars and gambling halls, as the rental fee. These slot machines were handmade and the first machine appeared to be similar to today’s slots. Though the original symbols were different back then, later on entertainment machines took the place of fruit symbols.

Fey accidentally created slot machine and modified the early casino industry with this simple game. Soon after its launch it emerged as a huge hit. In 1907, Fey decided to collaborate with the Mills Novelty company, to generate a fresh range of slot machines.

In the beginning slot machines were based on simple symbols such as stars, bells, playing card metaphors and horseshoes and were named as “Liberty Bells”. The first machine manufactured by them was the Mills Liberty Bell in 1907. Even today you can find the original Liberty Bell machine, manufactured by the Mills Novelty Company, in The Liberty Bell Salon and Restaurant in Nevada.

After three years they created the “Operator Bell”, the very first fruit symbol slot machine. Earlier, slot machines were made with the help of cast iron. But those were tricky to carry from casino to casino because they were made of heavy material. But in 1915, they decided to come up with the first wooden cabinet slot machine. These machines were easier for Fey and the Mills to deliver to various businesses.

The Mills Company soon directed its marketing and mechanical geniuses, to come up with more creative and interesting slot machines, for its enthusiast players. In the 1930’s they started working on different designs for different machines. They came up with a whole series of “themed” slots. These machines were comparatively more colorful, eye-catching and slightly peculiar. During 30’s and 40’s United States, witnessed a huge slot machine boom.

The original concept of slot machines in casinos was to keep wives entertained, while their husbands hit the tables. Casino owners were stunned with the results, because the profits emerged higher than that of the table games.

Slot machines today have become the most prominent game in the casinos. It is almost impossible to ignore the lights, the laughter, the sounds of metal hitting coins and the vibrant atmosphere of the casinos. These machines make up more than seventy percent income of some casinos. Hence these machines not only make the maximum money for the casino owners but also for the gamblers. Today slot machine games dominate the table games.
 

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