The Liberty Bell was the first variation of the modern mechanical slot machine we see today, originally being referred to as a 'fruit machine' or 'one-armed bandit'. Created in 1894 by Charles Fey (1862–1944), a car mechanic from San Francisco, the Liberty Bell's popularity set the standard for the modern slot machine; its three-reel model is still used today despite great advances in slot technology over the past several decades. An original Liberty Bell slot machine is currently on display at the Liberty Belle saloon in Reno, Nevada as a historic artifact.[1]
How it worked[edit]
Each of Liberty Bell's three reels were imprinted with a symbol of a diamond, heart, spade, horseshoe, star and a cracked Liberty Bell. Once the player deposited a nickel, he could pull the lever on the side of the machine and the reels would begin to spin, stopping on any random combination of symbols. If the same symbol appeared on all three reels a bell would ring and the player would be awarded with coins. Three Liberty Bells offered the largest payout of fifty cents (10 nickels), which was ejected by the machine.[1]
Bell Fruit lcd Condition is From working battery removed years ago before put into spares can’t test so sold as faulty. Bell-fruit one-armed bandit (slot machine) very good condition, chromed and sprayed. The free online Ring The Bells slot machine has many gifts for gamesters and two specials (the bell, and the 777). Both cards can pay on the regular paylines. Moreover, a gambler can obtain the additional features: Bell Mode. With five or more logo symbols anywhere on.
Payouts[edit]
The payouts for the Liberty Bell were as follows:
Bell Fruit Slot Machine For Sale
- 2 horseshoes = 5 cents
- 2 horseshoe + 1 star = 10 cents
- 3 spades = 20 cents
- 3 diamonds = 30 cents
- 3 hearts = 40 cents
- 3 Liberty Bells = 50 cents
Popularity[edit]
1910 Bell Fruit Slot Machine
In 1907, with the growing popularity and demand for the Liberty Bell, the Mills Novelty Company began manufacturing the 'Mills Liberty Bell'.[2]
In 1910 the company introduced a slight variation of the Liberty Bell, called the Operator Bell. Changes such as a gooseneck coin acceptor and fruit symbols to replace the traditional images became a standard for slot machines for decades to come, and over 30,000 of these machines were produced. In 1915 the company then began manufacturing a less expensive version of the Operator Bell, replacing the heavy cast iron machines with ones made out of lighter wooden cabinets.[2]
In the early 1930s the Mills Novelty company made additional changes to their line of slot machines. First, they designed it so that their machines were much more quieter, which eventually gave the machines the name 'silent bells'. Secondly, they created a line of themed wooden cabinets each with its own unique design, the first being Lion Head released in 1931.[3]
It was this time in the 1930s that slot machines saw a rise of popularity in America. In the late 1940s Bugsy Siegel added slot machines to his Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, initially as a way to entertain the wives and girlfriends of high rollers. Soon the revenue generated from these machines matched those of the table games.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ abInventors.about.com, The History of Slot Machines-Liberty Bell.
- ^ abSlot Machines Payout, Slot Machine History.
- ^ abSlot Tips Guide, The History of Slot Machines.
Mills Puritan Bell Trade Stimulator from the 1920’s. Mills Novelty Company of Chicago manufactured different countertop trade stimulator versions. This 5¢ Mills Puritan Bell produced around 1926 was also known as the Aluminum Bell. It features a cast aluminum cabinet and three fruit (orange, grape, strawberry), bell fruit and bell reels visible through the glass window. The top marquee has a banner with the title “The Puritan Bell”. Two bell motifs and an owl figure symmetrically adorn the trade stimulator name. To operate, a player deposits a nickel five cents 5¢ coin in coin slot chute and pulls side handle. Player earns rewards as shown on the reward card. Reward values were distributed by shop merchant over the trade counter. Per the Mills Novelty Company catalog, “The cabinet is made of highly polished aluminum and is attractively decorated in red, green and yellow. Reward cards and reel strips are also in colors.” Great original working condition and fully functional Puritan Bell Aluminum Bell trade stimulator. Keys and locks included. Mills nickel slot type trade stimulator. Trade stimulator measures approximately 10 x 9 x 8-1/2 inches.
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