The slot machine has become a household word. Even those that have no interest in gambling are very familiar with the “slot machine”. Invented in the year 1895 by a car mechanic named Charles Fey, no one could have ever predicted how popular the slot machine would one day become. This first slot machine was named the Liberty Bell and it had three reels on it which spun. Each reel had horseshoe, heart, diamond, and spade designs which had been placed on them. There was also a picture of a liberty bell which was cracked on each reel. Three Liberty Bells consecutively lined up would give the player the largest payoff, this was ten nickels. This first Liberty Bell is currently housed at the Liberty Belle Saloon and restaurant located in Reno, NV.

The Liberty Bell slot machine made quite an impression and it became very much in demand. Charles Fey owned a small shop in which he produced these slot machines and he soon found that he could not keep up with the demand in the small quarters. Many manufacturers attempted to purchase the distribution rights for the Liberty Bell slot machine, but Charles fey would not agree. He would not sell his rights and continued to make the Liberty Bell slot machines from his small shop.

It was 1907 when a man named Herbert Mills began producing his version of the slot machine. This version was named the Operator Bell. Herbert Mills was the very first person that would make use of pictures of fruit on slot machines. Such fruits as cherries, lemons and plums appeared on his slot machines. Since Herbert Mills was already in the business of manufacturing arcade games, he was able to produce a larger quantity of the slot machines. He played a large role in the slot machines becoming more popular and recognizable since he was able to get more of them out there on the market.

Slot machines were called one armed bandits because the original slot machines were operated by a lever which was placed on one side of them. The only way to work the slot machine was to pull the lever. Now days slot machines also have a button you can push on the front of them, this was not always the case. The bandit part of the name came from the slot machines ability to take all of someones money from them.

By the year 1908, many “Bell” slot machines could be seen in various establishments. The slot machines could be found in such places as barber shops, saloons, bowling alleys, cigar shops, and more. The popularity of the slot machine had grown and would continue to do so. The slot machine is one invention which has withstood the test of time. Although it is controversial in many parts of the world, it continues to become a common fixture in many other parts of the world. Slot machines can be found on almost every corner and even in food establishments in areas where gambling is permitted.