That is where the term “fruit machine” comes from. In 1898, Herbert Mills from Chicago created a new type of slot machine with fruit symbols instead of playing cards. The popularity of Fey’s machine was such that after four years, there were almost 200 of them in use in the United States. Slot machines rapidly gained popularity, and Fey’s design was soon duplicated by other manufacturers. When a player pulled the lever on the machine’s side, the reels would spin before coming to a halt, revealing whether or not they had won. The machine was originally built with three spinning reels and three symbols: diamonds, hearts, and spades.

Slot machines have been a staple in casinos and other locations where people gamble since their invention. When were slot machines invented?Ĭharles Fey designed the first slot machine, often known as the Liberty Bell, in 1891. So next time you pull the lever on a slot machine, you can do so with a newfound appreciation for its place in gambling history. In this article, we will explore the origins of slot machines and how they have changed since their creation over 100 years ago.

Slot machines have long been a casino favorite, but their history is often unknown to gamblers.