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Charles Fey

The slot machine was invented my Charles Fey in the 1890s. Fey was a German mechanic from Bavaria who migrated to San Francisco in 1885. After a couple of years of tinkering with a successful mechanical slot-models, Charles Fey developed the Liberty Bell slot machine.

The Liberty Bell

The Liberty Bell was the first three-reel slot machine. Ten characters were featured on every reel. Players would pull the mechanical handle, and if the same three characters appeared on each reel, a prize was awarded. The Liberty Bell was one of the symbols on the reels. If a players got three Liberty Bells in a row, they would earn a 50-cent jackpot.

When gambling was made illegal, slots got a vending machine makeover. Prizes were replaced with sticks of gum. Bars were chewing gum logos. The different flavors of gum were represented by fruit symbols.

Technological Advances

When the demand for bigger jackpots grew, more reels had to be added to the mix. As the reels expanded, so did the machine. These mechanical monstrosities grew increasingly complex. As technology developed, the inner workings of the slot machine were completely transformed.

Electronic parts gradually replaced the machine's mechanical insides. By the 1930s, players were pushing buttons and not pulling arms. An internal motor was used to drive the wheels. These newer slots were introduced around the same time Vegas were born.

By the 1960s, there were tons of slot variations developed. Each new machine had it's own distinct sounds and flashing light bulbs. By the 1970s, casinos started offering bigger jackpots. Slots soared in popularity, and they soon became the dominant features in every casino.

The Random Number Generator

The invention of the random number generator (RNG) altered the course of slot history. Inge Telneas received the patent for the RNG in 1984. The name of his original contraption was Electronic Gaming Device Utilizing a Random Number Generator for Selecting the Reel Stop Positions. The RNG uses a programmable algorithm to continuously cycle through numbers. The device generates a reel stop position when prompted by the push of a button.

With the development of computer technology, slots became multimedia events. The game variety was enhanced by the introduction of more powerful audio and visual trimmings. The telecommunications revolution furthered the appeal of slots.

Slot machines individualized the gambling experience. People who feel lucky will never cease to invest in games of chance. Slots are the easiest way to get you gambling fix on, and they will always remain popular.

Free slots are a great way to learn how to play slot games, and you can play online slots at many websites online.

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