In which we continue to exploit one of our apprentices who failed to make the grade as a staff writer. Basically, he wasn't a woman. Not that we're sexist here at WhichSlotMachine.com but those charming ladies do brighten up the office. Ready for some more bandit history people?

Nearly as old as the editor

The Bells, The Bells… The early prototypes continued to use playing cards as symbols on the reels. However, in 1899, he changed the look of his machine and used horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a Liberty Bell. Thus, his most famous machine was born: the Liberty Bell Slot. In the next 100 years, more than one million slots would be manufactured, based on this early model.

Also, satisfying customers in turn of the century saloons were the colour wheel slot machines. These huge cabinets featured a single rotating wheel – similar to a wheel of fortune. The beautifully made machines often featured Swiss music boxes, so that they could be classified as musical devices instead of gambling machines – avoiding prosecution in the process.

Eee By Gum. The law was very quick to focus its attention on these new machines. From 1910 to 1922, slots entered what is known as the 'Gum Age' and the evolution of the fruit symbols can be traced to these times.  Instead of paying out money, the machines paid out gum – this allowed the slots to be classified as vending machines.

Boom Time. Buddy can you spare a dime? The Great Depression of the 1930s led to peak sales of slot machines. Reputable businesses would install slots to stave off financial disaster and speakeasies and casinos were a brief respite from the financial chaos. Some of the most beautiful machines – true mechanical masterpieces – were created during this period.

This entry was posted by admin on Thursday, March 24th, 2025 at 12:04 pm and is filed under Slots News, The Shout.