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Who Created The First Slot Machine

There are at least two different accounts of the original invention of slot machines. One is that the first device was the Liberty Bell machine, invented by an American named Charles Fey in 1887. Slot Machine History Is Made In 1896, Fey opened the Slot Machine Factory, and the rest is gambling history. His partner was given the electric franchise, but he too began to make slot machines.

Who created the first slot machine created

When Was The First Slot Machine Invented

Who Was Charles Fey?

Charles Fey is arguably one of the greatest names in the cycles of gambling, credited as the person behind the invention of the slot machine. The slot machine brought about a revolution in the gambling world, a sensation that up to date, continues to be an integral part of gaming. Charles Fey is the brainchild behind the slot machine, bringing about the thrill and exhilarating experience that got many people onboard of the gaming cruise.

Charles Fey was born into an incredibly large family, surrounded by his 15 siblings. Fey, born in Bavaria, was never projected to become an inventor in the future as he grew up. His formative years featured helping out his family. As he grew up, Fey dreaded being drafted into the German Army and had differences with his father. Charles Fey focused his attention and energy into the art of instrument making, a trade that he performed quite flawlessly.

At the age of 23, Charles Fey joined his uncle in the United States, where he had numerous opportunities to advance his career. It was while working at Electric Works that he, together with a co-worker broke links with the employer and came up with a rival company. The invention that put Charles Fey into the history books happened while he was working at his company.

Features Of Fey’s Great Invention

Charles Fey slot machine was more straightforward in functionality and appearance as compared to the currently existing slot gaming machines.

The features of the very first slot machine included three revolving reels. The symbols appearing on the machine featured the more common card symbols like the diamond, spade, and hearts. Other symbols included horseshoes and a majestic Liberty Bell, which gave rise to the machine’s name.

The game’s symbols and outlay were quite easy, and a win was easy to decipher. Lining up three Liberty Bell’s symbols on the reels granted the player the game’s ultimate payout. The automatic payout feature of the game was the standout feature, something unheard of in those days. The massive success following the release of the game saw many imitations of the same arise within a short period.

With stringent laws, many against Charles Fey slot machine invention, the inventor could not patent his slot machine, prompting him to rent them out to various entertainment joints. Over time, to counter emerging cheating trends relating to his invention, Charles Fey made some alterations to the machine, including the world’s first-ever detecting pin. Fey perfected his slot machine invention for the period between 1887 and 1895.

The Beginning Of Greatness

Who Created The First Slot Machine

Powered and influenced by the great success that his slot machine achieved, Charles Fey, in 1896, established the Slot Machine Factory, one of its kind at the time. The factory set the precedent of massive success and influence of slot machines in the gambling industry.

Charles Fey’s immense influence on the gambling gaming scene is quite remarkable. Although his slot machine is no longer in use, having been overtaken by events and time, Fey’s invention was a game-changer. His original slot machine, known as the Liberty Bell, is currently on display in a museum in Reno. The great inventor died of pneumonia at the prime age of 82, having lived a thrilling life that inspired many people around the world.

The Wrap-Up

The Liberty Bell set the stage for the invention of better, more advanced, and more captivating slot machines. Many of the current existing slot machines including many titles in the online slots library have a relation to Charles Fey’s first slot machine, which was the basis of everything.

Charles Fey’s influence on the gambling industry by inventing the world’s the first slot machine, the Liberty Bell, is palpable and vital. Many gamers today enjoying a slot machine game might take it for granted, but Charles Fey deserves a lot of credit, if not all. In as much as the current slot machine have little in common with the original version of the game, his invention set the stage for new heights in the gaming industry.

Over 100 years has passed since the first ever slot machine, the 'Liberty Bell' was launched. The biggest developments have occurred between the late 1970's and today mainly due to the advances we have seen in computer technology.

Who Developed The First Slot Machines

We are sure to see even bigger and greater changes in the years to come as the game maker push the limits of what's possible in terms of jackpots, features and game design. One thing is for sure - the age of the video slot is only getting better.

Time Line

Below you will find a time line of the changes and developments that have occurred in the world of slot machines

1897 : The Invention
Charles August Fey, a car mechanic from San Francisco invents the 'Liberty Bell' mechanical slot machine. It had four symbols on the three reels and was somewhat easy to cheat as the handle controlled the reels. For this reason the top jackpot was a rather small fifty cents.

1898 to 1909 : Popularity Grows
While there were no major changes to how slots worked several new companies began making games with specifications the same as the Liberty Bell but with different appearances. It was a fast growing industry as the demand for new games was high.

1909 : Prohibition
The early years of the 1900's brought a setback to the slot manufacturers. The anti gambling campaigners managed to get the games banned, first in San Francisco, then Nevada and finally the whole of California. Of course as we know now this was just a temporary setback.

1964 : Electro-mechanical Slot Machines
Bally Manufacturing releases 'Money Honey' with some major differences between it and it's predecessors. Firstly the inside working were now electronic parts rather than springs. Secondly they added sounds, lights, the option to bet multiple coins and a hopper for coins.

Who Created The First Slot Machine

1975 : First Video Slot Machine Hits Casino Floors
Walt Fraley invents the 'Fortune Coin' video screen game. At the time it was not popular as players where skeptical about the technology and did not trust the virtual reels over the wide spread spinning reel slots.

Who Created The First Slot Machines

1976 : International Game Technology
Seeing the potential of the video slot and the advantages, IGT purchases the Fortune Coin manufacturer and uses their technology to bring out a host of new games. They grow to be the second largest slot manufacturer and focus on video reel slots.

History Of Slot Machines

1979 : Video Poker Becomes Popular
It was the invention of video poker that really caused the video slot popularity to grow. Players quickly took to video poker machines and the manufacturers started to introduce the first wave of video slot machines.

First Slot Machine Invented

1980 to Today : Innovations, Linked Progressives and Bonus Games
Since the early eight slot machine makers have continually added new and exciting features to video slots. These have included the linking of jackpots in state and country wide progressives and the addition of the bonus game. By linking the jackpots casinos have the ability to have multi-million dollar jackpots that grow fast and hit frequently.

Who Created The First Slot Machine Developer

Today you will be hard pressed to find a video slot that does not have some sort of bonus. From free games to pick a box and to game show themes video slots have come a long way compared to Charles Fey's first invention - the Liberty Bell.