The Allure of the Reels: A Thorough Examination of Slot Machines The development of slot machines is a gripping story that captures both changes in societal perceptionssatta.king of gambling and technological advancement. In San Francisco, Charles Fey created the Liberty Bell, the first mechanical slot machine, in 1895. Three rotating reels with diamonds, horseshoes, and the Liberty Bell itself were featured on this machine. In order to align symbols for a payout, players inserted a nickel and pulled a lever.