CHARLES AUGUST FEY, born in Bavaria in 1862, is considered the inventor of the modern slot machine. Recognizing the popularity of the cigar and poker machines that filled every saloon in San Francisco in the late 19th century, Fey created the three-reel Liberty Bell, the first mechanism to pay in coins and a model that was copied for nearly six decades.

IThe Roaring ‘20s was a time of great prosperity for the slot machine: sanctions against gambling and liquor created an underground culture of forbidden entertainment. The speakeasy became the ideal venue for coin-operated machines. Ornate and alluring, the design of the slot machine reflected the decadent mood of the country; the jackpot feature and the silver dollar slot also emerged, reflecting a national love of excess.

With the crash of the stock market in 1929, a somber mood swept the country. De-spite the lack of wealth, gambling increased during the Depression. Slot machines, which were adjusted to take pennies once again, were the sole source of income for most cigar shops, saloons and candy stores as well as an effective source of distraction for many Americans.

Shaking off the darkness of the Depression, a clean, modern style gained momentum: Art Deco emerged as the new ideal: the Empire State and the Chrysler buildings were erected, transcending architectural limitations. As the 1939 World Fair celebrated the “world of tomorrow,” the country shifted its focus from the Depression to impending World War II. While the slots from this period were bright and modern, banking on the certain progress awaiting the country, they were contrasted against military and patriotic imagery.

With the end of the war, we experienced great wealth and opportunity. While it was a period of prosperity for the country, the passing of the Johnson Act in 1951 – making interstate shipment of slot machines illegal – threatened the industry. By the ‘60s, slot machines were only legal in Nevada: Las Vegas boomed.

The culture on the Las Vegas Strip was thrilling: visitors were awash in neon lights, showgirls, glitz, and glamour and the next stylistic jump in slot style reflected this. The ethos of the ‘60s moved away from the conservative post-war era: radical thought became the norm, architecture was more refined, interest in “modernism” prevailed, and the Space Race captured the country’s imagination. Machines were shiny, encased in stainless steel, and showed minimal deviation from the aerodynamic ideal.

1930s	1950s
Mills Baseball Vender During the depression, the prevalence of slot machines increased but remained illegal. Staying under the radar of law enforcement, machines disguised as baseball and horse racing games emerged.	Jennings Sun Chief As the fi rst machine that contained lighted panels to lure players, the Sun Chief refl ected the new glamour and glitz on the Las Vegas Strip.