North America has the highest number of slot machines in the world, with about 767.4 thousand machines. Many possibly love the game because it’s hands down the easiest casino game to play or because of the potentially large payouts from small wagers. Either way, slot gaming is popular in the country and globally.
Let’s explore the rich yet convoluted history of slot machines and gaming to find out how the game’s popularity began.
Slot or fruit machines sit at the heart of the casino gaming industry, amassing a large base of seasoned and inexperienced players. However, researchers have differing views about when the slot machine started. There’s plenty of back-and-forth about who invented the slot machine and when it was invented.
Below is a brief timeline of how the slot machine came to be. We’ll start from the earliest records to the latest versions of slots like Big Bass Splash.
1891: Sitmann and Pitt’s 5 Drums and 50 Playing Cards
Sitmann and Pitt, a company based in New York, created the first slot machine in 1891. This machine consisted of five drums, each containing 50 playing cards. The drums were connected to a lever and a rotating mechanism that rotated the drums when the lever was pulled.
The contraption was primitive, and to have an edge, the house would usually remove two cards from each deck, specifically the jack of trades and the tens of spade. Players would pay a nickel to use the machine and couldn’t win actual cash even if the cards lined up perfectly. That’s because the machine didn’t have a payout mechanism. As such, winners would get free drinks and cigars instead of cash.
1894: Charles August Fey’s Liberty Bell
The Bavarian American Inventor Charles August Fey improved the Sit and Pitt’s design to create the first modern slot machine in his basement. Unlike the initial design, his machine could accept coins, eliminating the need to transact physically with attendants and bartenders.
He dubbed the machine the 4-11-4 and introduced it to a nearby salon. The machine was such a hit with the folks down at the salon that he opened a factory to produce and sell them commercially. 4 years later, he improved the machine to incorporate three slots and a mechanism to pay out cash prizes automatically and called it the Card Bell.
In 1899, only a year later, he created the Liberty Bell, introducing the world to the first modern slot machine. The slot machine was called the Liberty Bell because it featured a symbol of the Liberty Bell on its reels. This symbol was also the highest-paying combination.
1902-1908: Herbert Mill’s Operator Bell
By the 1900s, Fey’s slot machines had spread like wildfire, but the inventor started to get some competition. In 1907, a manufacturer in Chicago named Herbert Mills created his version of the slot machine by building on Fey’s creation.
The major improvement from the Liberty Bell was that the Operating Bell now had a jackpot feature and could hold and dispense more coins. It also had other mechanical improvements and a robust design that made it last longer.
1964: The Bally Company’s Money Honey
In 1964, the Bally Company invented the Money Honey, the world’s first electromechanical slot machine. Unlike previous designs, the Money Honey’s reels operated mechanically, although players still had to pull the lever. It was the first slot machine to dispense 500 coins for winning the jackpot.
1976-1978: Fortune Coin’s Fortune Coin
The Fortune Coin company invented the first video slot machine, the Fortune Coin. The machine debuted in the Hilon Hotel in Las Vegas and used a modified Sony TV as the display. Unlike its predecessors, Fortune Coin could have huge payouts and was less prone to tampering and mechanical failure.
The mid-90s: Microgaming’s
The mid-1990s gave rise to the first online slot game, Cash Splash. These online slots allow players to enjoy slot gaming from the comfort of their homes, marking the beginning of the digital age in the slot gaming industry.
Unlike physical slots, there’s no limit to how much players can win, but these slots are also vulnerable to manipulation by the house. That’s why you should only settle for reputable online slots.
1996 to Date: WMS Industries Inc.’s Reel Em
WMS Industres Inc. ushered in the current age of slot machines with Reel Em. The company’s slot machine had a second screen for onus rouns. Players could now play an entirely separate game on the other screen, regardless of how much they won or lost in their original game.
Conclusion
Slot machines have come a long way from the rudimentary machines they once were. These days, you can enjoy slot gaming from the comfort of your sofa and win huge cash prizes.
Despite the convenience of online slots, remember to approach them cautiously. Only play online slots from casinos with proper licenses and certifications. Also, check online reviews to get an idea of what you’re signing up for before making deposits
