Slot machines through the years
Slot machines have undergone significant changes since their inception in the late 19th century, reflecting technological advancements and shifts in gaming practices.
This evolution can be categorised into distinct phases, each marked by innovations that transformed the nature of the machines and their role in the gaming industry.
With this in mind, we wanted to look at the evolution of slot machines throughout the years to see how they evolved to become the games we know today, so you know just how far the humble fruit machine has come when you next play Slots online.
Early mechanical slot machines (late 19th century – early 20th century)
The earliest slot machines appeared in the late 19th century. One of the first was developed by Sittman and Pitt in 1891.
This machine used five drums holding 50 playing cards, and players would insert a coin and pull a lever to spin the drums in the hopes of landing Poker hands on the reels.
Charles Fey created the first true slot machine in 1895. The Liberty Bell featured three spinning reels with five symbols: horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a Liberty Bell. Unlike earlier machines, the Liberty Bell had an automatic payout mechanism, where three aligned bells triggered the highest payout. This machine established the basic design and mechanics defining slot machines for decades to come.
The introduction of fruit symbols and gum dispensers (early to mid-20th century)
In response to stricter anti-gambling laws, slot machine manufacturers began to introduce machines that dispensed gum instead of money. This led to the adoption of fruit symbols—cherries, lemons, plums, and oranges—which represented different gum flavours.
The BAR symbol, derived from the Bell-Fruit Gum Company logo, also became a staple of these machines. These machines were technically legal as they offered non-monetary prizes, yet they retained the basic gameplay of earlier slot machines.
Today, you can find these fruity symbols still spinning around many slot reels in physical and virtual form.
The electromechanical era (1960s – 1970s)
The 1960s saw the development of the first electromechanical slot machines, marking a significant shift from purely mechanical designs. A manufacturing company called Bally introduced Money Honey in 1963, the first slot machine with fully electromechanical operations. It featured an electric motor to spin the reels and an automatic coin dispenser, enabling larger payouts and more dynamic gameplay. Although the traditional lever remained, it was no longer essential to the machine's function or gameplay, as the reels were now driven by electricity.
The advent of video slot machines (1970s – 1980s)
The 1970s brought another major innovation – the introduction of video slot machines. Fortune Coin Co. developed the first in 1976, using a modified 19-inch Sony television to display the reels.
This new format allowed for more complex game designs, multiple paylines, and new features that were not possible with mechanical or electromechanical machines. Video Slots laid the foundation for modern slot machines, offering greater flexibility in game development and enhanced visual effects.
The digital and online evolution (1990s – present)
The advent of digital technology in the 1990s revolutionised slot machines as we once knew it. With the rise of personal computers and the internet, online casinos began offering virtual slot machines that could be played from home.
These digital Slots retained the basic mechanics of traditional machines but introduced more sophisticated graphics, themes, and gameplay features.
As technology advanced, so did slot machines' complexity. Modern slot machines use Random Number Generators (RNGs) to determine outcomes, ensuring fairness and unpredictability.
