Slot Machine Bars and Bells
As the selection of online slots continues to grow and grow at an online casino, so do the number of symbols that can be found out on their spinning reels. These days there are many that come replete with 3D imagery or even characters that jump, wriggle, and explode on the screen. However, among all these new-fangled slot machine reel symbols there are some classic symbols that continue to endure. Two examples are the Bar symbol and the Bell symbol.
The Bell comes from the fact that the first ever physical slot machine was called the Liberty Bell, which was invented by American mechanic Charles Fey. The bell symbol on Fey’s ground-breaking machine was the game’s highest value symbol and the bell has been prevalent on slots ever since.
In addition, when a player won on this early iteration of the slot machine, a bell would ring all around to notify of their success (and pay out 50 cents) – no chance of escaping getting a round in, in the late 1800s!
Fey’s Career
Now for a bit more on the person whose legacy lives on almost 130 years later, and no doubt will continue for many decades more. Fey’s career, although it started in the farming industry, was working for a tool manufacturer, and therefore the understanding of the intricacies of how something functions would put him in good stead years later.
Eventually, Fey left his homeland of France, headed to America, and started working for the Western Electric Works company before finally starting two of his own companies: one dealt with electrics and telephones whilst the other, more aptly, was a slot machine workshop.
But Fey simply didn’t decide to one day open a slot machine workshop; he first took inspiration from his friend, and co-owner of the electrics and telephone business, Gustav Friedrich Wilhelm Schultze.
A Slot Machine Revolution
Schultze revolutionised the slot-machine world in 1893 when he negated the need for an attendant to be present to hand out any winnings (only tickets and tokens) with his Horseshoe slot machine.
The reason for the horseshoe name is simply due to the icon being featured in the slot machine reels, with the horseshoe deemed a source of good luck and protection – something that remains true in many cultures today.
Taking this ‘good luck charm’ slot machine, Fey went one further in 1895 and enhanced the Horseshoe slot machine to allow automatic payments of coins – something that is commonplace in today’s casinos, worldwide.
This set Fey on his journey to eventually delivering to the gambling world the now-iconic Liberty Bell slot machine. Fey ended up installing and managing these incredibly popular devices throughout vendors in San Francisco. However, unfortunately for Fey, due to laws prohibiting gambling in California, he was unable to patent his brainchild, meaning many copied his invention.
Thankfully, the history books will always show that Fey was the first-to-market and remains a key figure in the foundations of gambling, epitomised by the memorial plaque that was placed in San Fran in 1894.
It reads: Charles August Fey began inventing and manufacturing slot machines in 1894. Fey pioneered many innovations of coin-operated gaming devices in his San Francisco workshop at 406 Market Street, including the original three-reel bell slot machine in 1898. The international popularity of the bell slot machines attests to Fey’s ingenuity as an enterprising inventor whose basic design of the three-reel slot machine continues to be used in mechanical gaming devices today.
What About the Bars?
As for the Bar, this symbol stems from a time when slot machines in the US were not allowed to pay out money but could still run on a premises if prizes were paid out in alternative rewards like sweets and candy.
It is thought that the Bar symbol depicts the candy that was handed out at the bar or counter of an establishment, which was done at the time because slots were prohibited from dispensing prizes directly to their players. Another theory is that the Bar symbol signifies chocolate bars or bars of chewing gum.
The chewing gum theory is widely accepted as the most accurate reason for the now-iconic Bar symbol, with many historical reviews confirming that the bar image is in fact the symbol used by the Bell-Fruit Gum company on their chewing gum – a stroke of marketing genius.
In fact, the reason for the adding of the fruit icons such as cherries, lemons and oranges was to highlight the different flavours of gum the Bell-Fruit Gum company offered, too.
Given the fascinating work of Charles Fey – by the way, he was originally born August Fey but changed his name to Charles and moved August to become his middle name – and the nostalgia linked to original sweet-based prizes, you hope, no matter what revolutions come in the gambling world, that it keeps true to what started it all.
Why Bars and Bells Still Matter in Modern Slot Games
Despite the evolution of slot machines into visually complex, feature-heavy games, Bars and Bells remain surprisingly relevant. These symbols are more than decorative throwbacks, they act as visual shorthand for slot machine heritage. For many players, especially those who began gambling on physical machines, Bars and Bells trigger instant recognition and familiarity.
Game developers understand this psychological pull. Even in modern online slots with cinematic animations and advanced mechanics, classic symbols are often reintroduced as bonus icons, Wilds, or nostalgic overlays. This blend of old and new allows developers to appeal to both experienced players and newcomers who associate these symbols with the idea of “traditional” slot play.
There is also a trust factor involved. Classic imagery subtly reinforces the idea of fairness and simplicity, even though modern slots are powered by RNG software rather than mechanical reels. Seeing a Bell or Bar symbol can make a game feel grounded and reliable, even in a fully digital environment.
Lesser-Known Facts About Classic Slot Symbols
The Bell was once a legal workaround
Early slot machines used bells partly because they could be framed as novelty devices rather than gambling machines.
Bars were never meant to look abstract
The Bar symbol was originally a direct brand mark, not a generic icon.
Many early players never saw fruit
Fruit symbols were initially irrelevant to gameplay, they existed purely to justify non-cash payouts.
How These Symbols Influence Slot Themes Today
Modern slot developers often use Bars and Bells to anchor retro-themed games, particularly those labelled as “classic,” “Vegas,” or “land-based inspired.” These slots typically strip back complex bonus rounds in favour of cleaner gameplay, which appeals to players seeking a more traditional experience.
Interestingly, some developers now subvert expectations by placing Bars and Bells into unexpected themes, such as sci-fi or horror slots, purely as Easter eggs. This nod to history rewards attentive players and reinforces the industry’s respect for its origins.
In live casino environments and social casinos, these symbols also help bridge the gap between physical and digital gambling. They act as a visual language that transcends generations of players.
The Enduring Legacy of Slot Symbol Design
The continued use of Bars and Bells shows that slot machines are not just about innovation, but continuity. While gameplay mechanics, graphics, and platforms have changed dramatically, the foundations remain visible on the reels.
These symbols represent a time when slot machines were mechanical curiosities rather than complex software products. Their survival is a reminder that gambling history still informs modern design choices, even in an age dominated by algorithms and automation.
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FAQs
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Conclusion
Bars and Bells may seem like relics of a bygone era, but their continued presence proves their lasting appeal. They connect modern players to the roots of slot gaming, reminding us that today’s digital experiences are built on simple mechanical ideas from over a century ago. As slot technology continues to evolve, these symbols remain a quiet tribute to where it all began.
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