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Charles Fey invented the slot machine in the year 1895. Fey went on improving
the original model in 1907 when he joined the Mills Novelty Company, and there
made the Mills Liberty Bell.
The Liberty Bell in its primary shape was made of
cast iron feet with toes set in a container of cast iron.
In later enhanced models,
the decorated ornate feet took the place of the detached toes.
The machine bore reel strips upon which were displayed the playing cards of
jack, queen and king.
Although afterwards taken away, a bell was in the beginning
placed in the machine, which rang when a combination win came up for the lucky
winner.
Today, a bell has been re-inserted into the current slot machines and
the primary idea of announcing a win when the jackpot was won by ringing has
been reintroduced.
The current innovative slot machines in the United States are thus based on
the original model of the Liberty Bell, and its original format is still in use
today in various mechanical games.
The primary simplified mechanical arrangement
contained twenty images set on three outdated reels have evolved into arrangements
where electronic microchips supervise and manage hundreds of images set upon
five swiveling reels.
The Operator Bell introduced in 1910 was the Mills Novelty Company’s produced
superior Liberty Bell. In the newest machines today a gooseneck-shaped funnel
for inserting coins and the well-known fruit images are still featured.
Manufactured
for at least thirty thousand machines, these slots weighed above one hundred
pounds and were made of cast iron.
In 1915 the period of cast iron machines came to an end and Mills made the
decision to produce slot machines containing less expensive wooden cabinets.
In the early 1930s the Mills Novelty Company caused a revolution in the slot
machine industry when he brought in additional innovations to the slot machine
format.
The primary innovation targeted the reduction of the noise of the machine.
Because of this, in the 1930s, the machine was nicknamed the Silent Bell.
The Double Jackpot was the second modification; this allowed players
to win two games successively and fast.
Elaborating the design of the cabinets, Mills designed a series of themed
symbols which with loud colors were very prominent.
Accordingly, the machines
appealed to players as they became more attractive with unique arrangements.
In 1931, the Lion Head was designed as the first of such attractions.
In succession there were introduced in the same year the Roman Head and
the War Eagle and in 1933 the Castle Front was created.
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