Who invented the slot machine?

Table of contents
 [show]

Slot machines are a captivating sight in the realm of gambling, combining the thrill of chance with visual excitement. Their universal presence in casinos today is rooted in a history that dates back to the late 19th century.

The creator of this revolutionary device is Charles August Fey, whose ingenious invention has seen remarkable transformations over the years. In this article we will take a deeper look at the inventor and his invention.

Want to know more about slots? Read our post about everything you need to know about slot machines

The inventor and his invention

Charles August Fey

  • Born on February 2, 1862
  • Born in Bavaria, Germany
  • Later migrated to the United States
  • Created the first prototype of the slot machine in San Francisco in 1894.

The first slot machine was relatively simple compared to the diverse and complex machines available today.

Named the “Liberty Bell,” Fey’s innovative creation comprised three spinning reels adorned with symbols such as diamonds, hearts, spades, horseshoes, and a Liberty Bell. A player would insert a coin and pull the lever to spin the reels, with the aim being to align three of the same symbols when the reels stopped. If the player achieved this, the machine would reward the player with a payout, the largest being awarded for aligning three Liberty Bells. The simplicity of how to play the slot machine was one of the main reasons for the immense popularity.

Quickly became popular

The Liberty Bell became immensely popular and successful, serving as the prototype for the multitude of slot machines that would be developed in the following years. Fey’s invention was unique for its time, incorporating an intricate system of gears and levers and leveraging automatic payouts, a novel concept at the time.

The automatic payout mechanism eliminated the need for an attendant to pay out winnings, which was a pivotal innovation in the gaming industry.

Though the State of California banned gambling in the early 1900s, Fey’s invention continued to gain popularity, evolving, and being replicated by various manufacturers. One such manufacturer was Herbert Mills, who, in 1907, produced a slot machine named the “Operator Bell,” which introduced fruit symbols, a common feature in modern slot machines.

Learn more about what a slot machine is here.

Crypto Casinos

Get a 300% deposit bonus of up to $15,000, and 50 free spins

270% deposit bonus up to $20,000

100% deposit bonus up to 500 EUR - Daily Giveaways, Cashback & VIP Club

$0.02 BTC No Deposit Bonus + 150% deposit bonus up to $1,050

Get exclusive bonuses by joining their VIP Club

Wager 5 mBTC and receive 200 Free Spins!

100% deposit bonus up to $5,000 + 80 FREE SPINS

200% deposit bonus up to €300

100% deposit bonus up to 5BTC and 100 Free Spins

Get a 100% Deposit Bonus up to €/$300 + 100 Free Spins