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This "Liberty Bell"
is the primary predecessor to all modern American slot
machines as its basic design continues to be used in
mechanical gaming devices today. The simple mechanical
devices with three old-style reels holding 20 symbols
have evolved into microprocessor-controlled devices
with up to five spinning reels holding hundreds of symbols.
In 1910, the Mills Novelty
Company introduced a slight variation to the Liberty
Bell and called it the Operator Bell. This machine had
a gooseneck coin entry and featured the now famous fruit
symbols, which are still used in many of today's slot
machines. These cast iron slots are heavy, weighing
over 100 pounds. Over 30,000 of these machines were
made.
The era of cast iron
machines ended in 1915, when Mills introduced slot machines
with less expensive wood cabinets. In the early 1930s,
the Mills Novelty Company made a number of additional
changes to its line of slot machines that revolutionized
the industry.
First, it designed its
machines to be much quieter. That's why its 1930s machines
are referred to as the "silent bell". Then
it introduced a double jackpot that assured players
that one could win twice in quick succession.
To make its machines
memorable and enticing to players, Mills introduced
a series of cabinet designs that were striking and colorful,
each with its own theme. The first in early 1931 was
the Lion Head. In late 1931, it was the War Eagle and
the Roman Head, and in 1933, it was the Castle Front.
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