Fruit machines 1891 style

The first machine that could be classed as a gambling device was engineered in 1891 and contained 5 drums holding a total of 50 card faces and was based on popular card games of the time.  The early fruit machines proved popular – players would insert a ‘nickel’ and pull the lever, the drums would then spin whilst players hoped for a good hand. There was no payout mechanism, so for example a pair of Kings might get the player a beer, or a flush would result in cigars – the prizes depended on what was available at the local establishment! As the years progressed fruit machines have developed into hugely sophisticated electronic systems capable of many different ways of varying play.

30 July 2008 | Miscellaneous