The Birth of the Slot Machine
The slot machine is the most popular and recognizable game in any casino (goldfish.it), whether physical or casino online. The journey from a basic gear-and-lever device to today's complex video slots is a long one.
Charles Fey is the name associated with creating the original slot machine in the final years of the 19th century. His machine, called the "Liberty Bell," featured three spinning reels and symbols like horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a cracked Liberty Bell. It was an instant success in saloons and bars, casino offering an automatic payout mechanism, a revolutionary feature for its time.
The Fruit Machine Era
Early in the 20th century, anti-gambling laws forced slot machine manufacturers to get creative. Instead of paying out cash, machines were designed to dispense fruit-flavored chewing gum as prizes. This is why fruit symbols like cherries, lemons, and plums became so common on the reels