Dive into the colourful world of slot symbols with us! Did you know that over 75% of classic slots feature fruit symbols, making them an iconic part of gambling history? From their humble beginnings with simple playing card symbols, slot games have transformed dramatically.

Today, we explore the fascinating evolution of these symbols, from fruits and animals to a wide array of themes showcasing incredible creativity. Join us as we uncover the origins of slot machine symbols and reveal why fruit symbols, in particular, became a popular choice among early slot inventors.

• Origins of Slot Machine Symbols
• Other slot machine creations
• Fruit Symbols – How It First Started
• Why Common Slot Symbols Like Fruits Stayed Popular
• A Timeless Spin: The Legacy of Slot Symbols

Origins of Slot Machine Symbols

The world saw the first slot machine come to life in 1895. It was a revolutionary invention by Charles Fey in San Francisco, California. The slot machine had three reels and one paying mechanism; land three of the same symbols in a row to win a prize. The mechanics were simple, and the road to today’s online slot machines with bonus games and multiple pay lines was going to be long and fascinating.

This was an improvement on earlier slot-like inventions. However, players could win beverages or cigars manually. This included tickets and tokens from the saloon’s bars. It was Fey’s invention that made it possible for players to now win money straight from spinning the slot machine. The invention was called the “Liberty Bell”.

Charles Fey used the card suits, which were spades, diamonds, and hearts, a horseshoe and a golden bell. The highest-paying symbol was the bell. This meant that while others paid out different prizes, having a combination of three bells was the most rewarding.

Fey used card-suit symbols because they were quite popular with people of that time. Including them in the slot made it easy for players to flow with the game. Horseshoes were a symbol of good fortune, while the bell simply represented the highest paying.

Other slot machine creations

Fey’s invention was seen as the first slot machine created. However, there were other inventions created during that time that also had symbols. Let’s take a look at a few.

Sittman and Pitt’s Poker Machine

Sittman and Pitt created what looked like a slot machine in 1891. However, it was called a poker gambling machine, which had 5 drums and 50 playing cards. It was more inclined towards a poker game than a slot game. Players would insert a nickel and pull a lever, hoping the 5 reel machine would give them a good hand.

The rewards of the game were beer, cigars and drinks. Sittman and Pitt’s use of card symbols inspired Charles Fey to design the symbols on his creation. As a plus, card symbols were also a popular thing associated with gambling at that time.

Gustav Friedrich Wilhelm Schultze – The HorseShoe Slot Machine

Gustav Friedrich Wilhelm Schultze was Charles Fey’s Partner. He was stated as creating the slot machine prototype in 1893, just two years before the creation of actual slot machines. It came with an automated payout system and was called the Horseshoe slot machine. Interestingly, there has been controversy stating that Gustav’s invention should be the first slot machine. However, Fey’s invention is generally recognized as the first one.

Fruit Symbols – How It First Started

By the 1900s, societies and governments started to have problems with slot machines and how they worked. Most felt the ethics of the new game were wrong. Gambling was not a well-accepted activity during that time. As such, laws were put in place to ban the use.

Makers of slot machines had to get creative, or they would run out of business fast. This was where the idea of fruits as symbols came into existence. When you land a winning combination, you win fruit-flavoured chewing gum. This was how fruits became a popular symbol in slot games.

Some popular fruits are lemons, cherries and grapes. The traditional bell emblem and an icon for Bell-Fruit Gum joined these delicious motifs. Over time, this rectangular shape transformed into the bar symbol that is ubiquitous in modern video games.

Why Common Slot Symbols Like Fruits Stayed Popular

As earlier stated, the limits and restrictions that were in place for early slot machines made slot manufacturers change the rules of slot games. They had to use fruit symbols in the machines to circumvent the ban.  Below is a list of reasons why fruits were adopted.

Laws prohibiting or severely regulating gambling

Many regions had strict gambling laws in place during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fruit symbols were the ingenious idea that made slot games survive. Manufacturers are now paid with fruit-flavoured gums rather than monetary payments to evade these regulations.

Public recognition and acceptance

Fruit symbols were previously well-known and widely accepted. It was already common on other gambling machines, including the “trade stimulators” popular in saloons and bars. As a result, it was easy to transition to fruit symbols.

Simplicity in mechanics

The first slot machines were mechanical inventions that spun reels. The use of fruit symbols simplified the mechanics and made the payouts easier to understand. Displaying fruit symbols required simpler mechanical components than more complex symbols or methods for dispensing cash.

Attractive and colourful

Fruits have a natural tendency to be colourful and attractive to the eye. Slot machines were visually appealing and interesting for players due to the usage of colourful fruit symbols. Because of this, the first slot machines were much more entertaining and popular.

Modern Slots and Fruit Symbols

Even in today’s online slot machines, fruit symbols still have a place in most. The variety of symbols and icons, however, grew substantially with the advent of video slots and other technological advancements.

Modern slot machines can feature many symbols based on a wide variety of themes. This includes animals, mythological figures, movie themes, and more. These slots also have unique features that come with their own special symbols. There are Jackpot symbols, classic symbols, sticky wild symbols, and expanding wild symbols. However, fruit machine symbols are still the most prominent, even by today’s standards.

A Timeless Spin: The Legacy of Slot Symbols

From Charles Fey’s pioneering Liberty Bell to the vibrant, diverse themes of slots in today’s UK online casinos, the symbols on these machines tell a story of innovation and adaptation. The transition from playing card suits to fruit-flavoured gum payouts represents a clever bypass of early gambling restrictions, embedding fruits forever in slot history. As slot symbols continue to evolve, they carry the legacy of their origins, a reminder of the ingenuity that has propelled the gaming industry forward.