As it evolved, people nicknamed the slot machine ‘Fruit Machine’ or the ‘One-Armed Bandit.’ Liberty Bell proved immensely popular in bars, with Fey’s competitors like the Mills Novelty Company copying its design. It had three reels that used horseshoes, bells, and playing cards as symbols. A Brief History Of The Liberty BellĪ mechanic in San Francisco, Charles August Fey, introduced the world to its first slot machine, the Liberty Bell, in 1899. You’ll also discover more about its features, how it evolved over the years, and the rise of online casinos in the digital age. Let’s take a trip down history and talk about the first slot machine, the Liberty Bell, and how it came to be. Whether online or land-based, players can choose from literally thousands of them. Slot machines are among the most popular casino games ever created.