Survival of the fruitiest
$6,000 Welcome Bonus
A casino wouldn’t be complete without a classic slot machine, those eclectic brightly coloured games that are simple, thrilling and can be extremely rewarding. The aim of the game is straightforward — spin the reels in an attempt to match the symbols upon them — it’s that easy. Of course, in order to be successful, you’ll need good old Lady Luck on your side, since the outcome is completely random. One of the earliest slot machines was the fruit machine, a classic game whose symbols aptly took the form of juicy fruit. You can still play a classic fruit machine themed slot today, from a land-based or online casino, which begs the question — how has the game evolved since its invention?
In this article we will answer that question, running you through a brief history of the game to understand how the traditional levered game transformed into the video Slots that we know and love today.
The invention of the fruit machine
The fruit machine was not the first slot machine to be invented, in fact, that machine was invented in 1894 by Charles Fey, known as the Liberty Bell. In 1904, shortly after the Liberty Bell was invented, laws were enforced that prohibited gambling, including the use of all slot machines. As a result, fruit machines were invented, finding a loophole in the newly established law.
The concept of the game remained the same, reels would spin and players would need to match symbols in order to win a prize. However, the typical cash prize was replaced by a fruity chewing gum reward. The machine itself had a fruity appearance, disguising itself as a chewing-gum dispenser to avoid the watchful gaze of the law.
Fruit icons were used as the game’s symbols, which included:
- Cherries
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Melons
These juicy icons were also joined by a bell and an icon which displayed the Bell-Fruit Gum company’s logo (the gum that was dispensed), which acted as the game’s bonus symbols. You’ll recognise this icon today as the familiar BAR symbol.
Online fruit machines
The biggest transformation of the humble fruit machine took place in 1996, when the world’s first online casino broke onto the scene. This led to the digital slot machine takeover that revolutionised the machines and the way that players chose to play them. The popularity of the games rose as players revelled in its convenience, as online platforms made it possible to play a classic fruit machine from the comfort of your own home.
Of course, you wouldn’t have to pull a lever to get the reels spinning, instead, you’d find a button to click on the screen that will set them in motion. Many aspects of the machine remained the same though, including the symbols used, which gave the game a traditional, quirky feel. Since laws were lifted and gambling became regulated, chewing gum rewards were replaced with cash prizes, that are almost instantly transferred to your account via your chosen payment method! It’s almost like magic.
As technology evolved and mobile gaming became more developed, casino developers created their own apps, which enabled players to dip into a classic fruit machine themed slot whenever they like, so long as you have a stable internet connection. Today, you’ll find some classic fruit machine games sat next to popular futuristic favourites like the Starburst game, for example
—
The fruit machine has come a long way since the slot machine was first invented. However, today fruit machines continue to inspire new, advanced games, filled to the brim with exciting features, and the familiar classic theme – a tribute to the history of Slots.
