Charles Fey & Liberty Bell

The first ever mechanical slot machine invented was called the Liberty Bell, and was developed by Charles Fey (1862–1944) who was a car mechanic from San Francisco. This Slot Machine had 3 spinning reels with symbols such as a spade, diamond, heart and an image of a cracked Liberty Bell. If you spun and 3 Liberty Bells formed in a row then that was the biggest payoff, a grand total of fifty cents or ten nickels.

If you visit the Liberty Belle Saloon & Restaurant in Reno, Nevada you can still see the original Liberty Bell slot machine. Charles Fey created many other slots machines such as Draw Power, Three Spinde and the Klondike.

Charles Fey in 1901 invented the 1st draw poker machine and also invented the trade check separator, which was used in the Liberty Bell. Charles allowed bars and saloons to rent his machines but asked for a 50% split in profits.
Slot Machines have become very popular since they first appeared, and today there are over 30 million Slots players around the world, playing both online and offline slots.

Slot Machines demand increases

The market for Liberty Bell slot machines was huge and Fey could not build them quick enough from his little shop. Many of the gambling supply manufacturers tried buying the rights of manufacturing and distribution of the Liberty Bell, but Charles Fey blatantly refused. Herbert Mills who was a Chicago manufacturer of arcade machines began producing slot machines in 1907, a knock-off of Fey's Liberty Bell, called the Operator Bell. Herbert Mills became the first person to place fruit symbols on the slot machines such as cherries, plums, and lemons.

Online Slots are fun and fair which makes them very popular. You are able to bet a small amount and win a very large amount with no skill required.

Traditional Slot Machines.

Back in the day slot machines were restricted to bars and local restaurants. Now they have become so popular you can now even play them online!

1910 - The Mills Novelty Co. created a small change to the Liberty Bell and named it the Operator Bell. This slot machine featured the now well known fruit symbols (bar, cherry, plum, etc.).

These were cast iron slots and weighed over 100 pounds. More than 30,000 Operator Bell machines were made.

1915 - The period of cast iron slot machines concluded, when Mills brought in less expensive slot machines using wood.

1930s, - The Mills Novelty Co. had made numerous changes to its line of slot machines that transformed the industry.

Re-designed a less noisy machine which is why the machines were known as the "silent bell".

Mills Company introduced a double jackpot assuring players the chance to win more than once, one after the other.

Mills developed more colorful machine designs with their own themes. 1931, saw the first design being a Lion Head, 1931 a War Eagle and 1933 a Castle Front.