The All-Inclusive Guide to Slot Machines Slot machine history begins in the late 19th century and is an exciting journey. In San Francisco, Charles Fey created the Liberty Bell, the first mechanical slot machine, in 1895. Three spinning reels with symbols like diamondstake apks, horseshoes, & the famous Liberty Bell were part of this inventive machine. In an attempt to line up the symbols for a payout, players would insert a nickel and pull a lever to start the reels spinning. Similar machines were soon widely used in saloons and gambling establishments as a result of the Liberty Bell's rapid rise in popularity. Slot machines, which captivate players with their straightforward mechanics and the excitement of chance, had established themselves as a mainstay of American entertainment by the early 1900s.