Slot Machines: Through the Years

The history of slot machines began in the year of 1887 when Charles Fey, a mechanical engineer living in San Francisco created the first version of slot machines. The first slot machines are handmade and were situated in bars and little gambling halls. They are charge 50% of the profit that serves as the rental fee for the slot machines.

The first slot machines are totally mechanical having no electronic parts. But the look is very much similar to what we see in today's slot machines. Back then, the original symbols are a little bit different which consisted of bells, card suits, stars, and horseshoes. These first slot machines are called the "Liberty Bells" and this invention of Charles Fey revolutionized the early times of casino industry.

Charles Fey and Mills Novelty Company became partners in 1907 and began producing a new line of slot machines and among them is the "Mills Liberty Bell". This was very first ever fruit-symbol slot machine and was created in 1910 or 1911 and was named the "Operator Bell".

These early slot machines are very difficult to transport from one casino to another since they are usually made of cast iron and would require a lot of care. Therefore, in 1915, the wood-cabinet slot machines were produced. Because they are made of much lighter materials, they are now easy to transport and deliver to many casino locations throughout the country.

As the Mills Novelty Company branched out, more interesting slot machines are created and produced thus intriguing more players. During the 1930s, different designs were made for different slot machines, thereby creating an entire new range of "theme" slot machines. These slot machines are now more colorful, more eye-catching, and more attractive to slot players, causing a significant boom in the slot machine industry of the United States.

It has been said that slot machines are used by large, corporate casinos just to entertain the wives, while the husbands are enjoying the high roller table games. But to the surprise of the owners of the casinos, the profits from slot machines are climbing higher and higher over time compared to table games. And today, the major moneymakers of casinos anywhere are the slot machines because they made up about 70% or more of the casino's revenue.

The nickel and quarter denominations of slot machines are the largest contributor of the profit because many people are attracted to them. The history of slot machine has really evolved throughout the years since the first creation of Charles Fey. The popularity of these games is very overwhelming and millions of people are really having fun pushing that spin button whether in land-based or online casinos.