History of Slot Machines - Beginnings Until 1915

April 11, 2009 | Article Category: Slots

0 Comments Pitt and Sittman
Most begin slot history with Charles Fey since he did invent the first slot machine. However, in 1891, Pitt and Sittman in New York developed a game which was the precursor to the slot machine. The game had five drums that displayed poker hands. Each drum had ten cards on it. There were always two cards above ten that were removed from the pack for this game. Usually the two cards were the 10 of Spades and the Jack of Hearts. Removing these two higher scoring cards reduced the odds of players achieving a royal flush. Players paid a nickel for each spin. The game had no way of paying out money, so prizes were paid out by the places in which they were located. Often prizes were awarded as free drinks.

Charles Fey and the Liberty Bell
A few years later, the first actual slot machine ever to be invented was invented by Charles Fey in 1895. Charles Fey (1862 - 1944) worked as a mechanic in San Francisco, California. He was a German immigrant. Fey created the Liberty Bell slot in his basement. The Liberty Bell was made of 100 pounds of cast iron. The iron case was cast with a Liberty Bell on the front of the slot machine. The original models had cast iron feet with toes, which later was followed by ornate scrolled feet.

The symbols used were horseshoes, a liberty bell symbol, and card suits. The three reels each contained all five symbols. Players were able to win the then substantial maximum sum of 50 cents (10 nickels) if they won by hitting three Liberty Bell symbols on the single payline available. This was signaled by a ringing bell. The bell was removed because it was disturbing to others. Nowadays, the bell has been reintroduced when players hit a jackpot.

For slot enthusiasts, the first Liberty Bell which was designed by Fey was, until recently, able to be seen in a restaurant owned by Fey's grandchildren, the Liberty Belle Saloon and Restaurant located in Reno, Nevada. Unfortunately, the restaurant closed a few years ago.

Mills Novelty Company - The Mills Liberty Bell
The Mills Liberty Bell was created after Fey had teamed up with the Mills Novelty Company in 1907. Fey had joined up with the Mills Novelty Company since he could not keep up with the growing demand for slot machines. In 1910, the Operator Bell was created when minor changes were made to the Liberty Bell. A better coin acceptor and the first fruit symbols, including the now popular cherry symbol, were used in the Operator Bell. There were more than 30,000 of the cast iron slot machines made.

Slot machines were banned in the very early 1900's, so slot machine owners used the slot machines to offer gum, drinks and other non-monetary prizes. The card symbols were exchanged for pictures of fruit and gum.

In 1915, the Mills Novelty Company produced slot machines which were housed in wooden cabinets instead of cast iron as the cast iron was far too heavy. The Mills Novelty Company made many other improvements over time.

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