The history and evolution of fruit machines

Fruit machines, commonly referred to as slot machines or Slots, have a history that spans over a century, evolving from simple mechanical devices to complex digital systems.

From their origins as simple mechanical devices to their current digital incarnations, fruit machines have continually adapted to technological changes and regulations.

Despite their evolution, fruit machines’ basic—easy-to-understand gameplay combined with games of chance—remain a constant factor driving their popularity.

With this in mind, let’s find out exactly how fruit machines have evolved into the games we know today to allow us to play Slots online.

Origins in the late 19th century

The first precursor to the modern fruit machine was developed in the late 19th century. In 1891, Sittman and Pitt, a company based in Brooklyn, New York, created a gaming machine that contained five drums with 50 playing cards. The machine was a simplified Poker game in which players could insert a nickel and pull a lever to spin the drums in an attempt to land Poker hands on the reels. The Liberty Bell and mechanical Slot Machines

The true predecessor to the modern fruit machine was the Liberty Bell, invented by Charles Fey in San Francisco in 1895.

This device simplified the game by using three spinning reels and five symbols—horseshoes, diamonds, spades, hearts, and a Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell was the first machine to feature an automatic payout mechanism, where aligning three bells resulted in the highest payout. Fey’s machine set the standard for all future slot machines with its use of three reels and a lever, earning players the nickname “one-armed bandits”.

Introduction of fruit symbols

In the early 20th century, as anti-gambling laws became more stringent, manufacturers adapted by developing machines that dispensed chewing gum or other products instead of cash.

To reflect this, fruit symbols—such as cherries, lemons, and plums—were introduced, representing different flavours of gum you could potentially win.

The BAR symbol, which is still common today, was derived from the Bell-Fruit Gum Company logo. These machines were technically not gambling devices, as the prizes were non-monetary, but they kept the basic gameplay intact.

Electromechanical and video slot machines

The next significant evolution occurred in the mid-20th century with the advent of electromechanical machines.

In 1963, Bally Manufacturing developed the first fully electromechanical slot machine called Money Honey. This machine had a bottomless hopper, which meant it could offer higher payouts – up to 500 coins.. The lever was still present, but it became more of a traditional feature than a functional one, as an electric motor now spun the reels.

By the 1970s, video technology had begun to influence the industry. Fortune Coin Co. developed the first video slot machine in 1976. It used a modified 19-inch Sony television to display the reels, making it the first machine with digitalised reels. Video Slots allowed for more complex game designs, multiple paylines, and interactive bonus features, laying the groundwork for the future of digital gaming.

Digital age and online fruit machines

The final major shift in the evolution of fruit machines came with the rise of the internet and digital technology in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.

Online casinos began offering virtual slot machines, which could be played on personal computers and later on mobile devices. These games retained the basic mechanics of the original fruit machines but introduced new themes, graphics, and gameplay mechanics.

In addition to the transition to digital platforms, fruit machines have benefited from advances in Random Number Generator (RNG) technology, which ensures fair play and unpredictability in outcomes. Thanks to the RNG, complex algorithms have allowed for more sophisticated game designs and larger jackpots, including the introduction of progressive jackpots, which accumulate across multiple machines or even networks.