Slot Machines Home >
Slot Related Resources
>
History of Slot Machines
Results 1 - 2 of at least 12
6 - History of Slot Machines - The Computer Age 
Rate It [ 0.00 / 0 Votes ]
In the 1980's, Bally's manufactured a series of machines called the Series E. These omitted the electromechanical circuitry, and replaced it with the technologically superior microprocessor. These devices were more reliable than their predecessors and were easier to maintain. Around this same time, music chips were inserted in the microprocessor, adding to the appeal of the game. Passerby's were not only enticed by the attractive designs on the machines, but were also engaged by the new sounds that occurred when coins were inserted and the reels were spun.Microprocessors , or "chips" controlled the entire workings of the machine; from the coin meters to the intricate symbols. Stored in the memory, chips contain information on how often the machine is played, the last time it paid out and the amount that it paid out. Microprocessors are the "brains" of today' s slot machines.
While Bally's is still a major player in the slots market, they are no longer the player, that title belongs to IGT, International Game Technology. This Reno-based slot manufacturer dominates the industry. In 1996, nine of the top 10 earners among slot machine were manufactured by IGT, including their Double Diamond and Triple Diamond machines, their Red, White and Blue series, and the their Sizzling Sevens and Wild cherries machines. As the leader in the industry, IGT tries to maintain their footing with aggressive marketing and innovative design.
An exciting new line being introduced by IGT is their Black Rhino machine, with an option to bet up to 45 coins per game on a 5-reel machine. One particularly interesting machine was their Wheel of Fortune design. This fun design has pay-outs for various winning combinations, but the real excitement comes when you line up the three wheel of fortune symbols.
Then, the Wheel of Fortune above spins, with the possibilities of you winning anywhere from 25 all the way up to 1,000 times on their progressive.
Slot machines have come a long way from Fey's Liberty Bell. Slots business is now a multi billion dollar industry. More than $100 billion dollars was wagered on slots in 1997 in the U.S. alone.
<> (Submitted on: Mon June 10, 2002) 140
2 - History of Slot Machines - The Beginning of Mass Production Rate It [ 0.00 / 0 Votes ]
Fey made deals with saloon owners to place slots in their businesses, with an agreement to split the profits 50/50. At this machines sat directly on bar tops, and returned 86% of coins, with a 14 % profit left to be divided between Fey and the saloon owner. Originally, Fey worked from his basement, building the games by hand, and servicing the machines by horse and buggy, until he could no longer keep up with the construction of machines alone. In 1896, Fey opened a factory at 406 Market Street in San Francisco to meet the increasing demands from business owners.
Of course, with any popular invention comes a rush of anxious businessmen looking for a way to get their piece of the pie. One such businessman was Herbert Stephen Mills, an entrepreneur and successful manufacturer of various carnival games. Inspired by Fey's machines, Mills began mass producing his own line of slots, mimicking them after the original Liberty Bell.
In 1906, The Mills Novelty Company of Chicago was established, producing the Mills Liberty Bell, High Top and Golden Falls. These games became popular immediately, and were soon sold across the country to saloons, bowling alleys, pool parlors, and other businesses.
Around the same period of time, other manufacturers began producing large, free-standing, ornate wheel machines, which became the most popular cash slots for a period of time. The actual wheel resembled the wheel found on the modern-day television show Wheel of Fortune, with the exception of denominations printed on the various colors. Fifty to one hundred colorful strips were found on the larger models. Players would select which color they wanted to play by depositing their coin lots in their into the desired slot. They would then pull a lever on the left side, waiting anxiously to see if the arrow would land on their chosen color.
The Mills Company produced the first popular floor machine, called the Kalamazoo. This game gave players the option to insert
one to five coins at a time, and paid up to $1. When wheel proved to be successful, other manufacturers immediately began to produce their own versions of the original model while adding minor improvements. For example, Caille-Schiemer Co. produced the first six coin game called The Puck, while the Mills Co. remained in the running with the first ten coin game, The Duplex.
The Klondike, manufactured by Fey was a smaller version of the wheel machines, and sat directly on bar tops. The wheel exhibited six different colors; red, white, black, blue, yellow and green. A glass window at the front of the machine displayed the chosen color. Players could deposit up to six coins for their chance to win up to 25 drinks. The yellow strip paid 12 drinks, blue paid 6, white 3, green 2, and red and black only 1.
~ Bob Jennings
<> (Submitted on: Mon June 10, 2002) 163
Switch to page [1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
