Invention of Pokies and Slots

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True to its coined name, the history of the slot machine can be researched as far back as the late 1880’s to mid 1890’s. The inventors name was none other than “Charles Fey” who made the very first slot machine “Liberty Bell”. The “Slot Machine” was the basic you see what you get design. Pull a lever located at either right to left of the machine and the spring wound wheel would give birth to the term “Reel” inside the machine. This spring wound wheel would whirl the slots. These slots most typically designed and displayed on a wheel or drum was made of symbols much like the symbols found inside a deck of poker playing cards with the exception of one symbol symbolically defining the name of the slot machine such as “Charles Fey’s” liberty Bell slot machine.

The term “Pokies” was coined from the game of poker perhaps by none other than the “Australians”. Early in the 1900’s slot machines were slowly becoming famous. Depending on the person’s heritage and cultural up bringing had much to do with whether or not they would play a slot machine. Some cultures actually disliked these machines and what they promoted “gambling”. As a result many States located within the United States did not accept or promote gambling and actually the word gambling was quite a forbidden word in many arenas. However, to keep the term “gambling” low profile many of these slot machines were accepted by many local businesses such as hotels, bars, or grocery and designed with pay outs which were promoted as advertised within the establishment of the business where the Pokies’ or Slot Machines were being displayed for use. Pay outs on these early slot machines ranged anywhere from candy inside a candy store to beer inside a tavern or free groceries from the grocer, depending on the advertisement which was being offered. Slowly, Pokies (or) Slots became in high demand in old taverns, pubs & clubs such as bowling alleys. Many of these type machines were located in the lobbies of hotels or on display at the immediate entrance of a pub or club establishment for instance.

Since the late 1880’s –mid 1890’s slots (or) pokie machines have become widely accepted throughout the United States and Australia. Many of these games or machines can now be played thanks to video and technology advancements online. Online slots and online pokies are actually more common today than the traditional casino establishment where one actually goes to gamble. During the years 1993 - 2005 virtual casinos and online gaming sites have grown in leaps and bounds thanks to technology and W3C World Wide Web Consortium permitting the playing of these games online. Nevertheless, much of the history of slot machines and online pokies can be contributed to none other than Charles Fey the inventor of the World’s first slot machine. “Charles Fey’s” Liberty Bell slot machine gave birth to the mechanical gaming industry and introduced the beginning of pokies or if you prefer, slot machines.