That’s when the fruit slots were invented. The machine has seen a quick success, followed by an almost nationwide ban in 1902. Three Liberty Bells in a row would get you a prize of 50 cents, about $15 in today’s money. It was called the Liberty Bell and had three reels, that were connected by gears to spin randomly at the pull of the lever. The first slot machine was invented way back in 1895 in California, the land of the Gold Rush. Load More A brief history of land-based and online slot machines