Slot Machines Used to Actually Dispense Fruit-Flavored Chewing Gum
Ever wonder why slot machines have little pictures of fruit on the wheels? It's because early 1880s-era slot machines would actually dispense fruit-flavored gum. The machines also dispensed tokens meant to be exchanged for drinks and cigars before pumping out actual coins in 1888.
Later, as the popularity of slot machines grew, they evolved to dispense other items like tokens that could be exchanged for drinks or cigars. Eventually, in 1888, the first machines that dispensed actual coins as winnings were introduced. The fruit symbols remained a nostalgic element, and even today, you can find them on modern slot machines as a nod to their historical origins.
That's interesting! It makes sense that they would use images of fruits, which are often associated with positive feelings and flavors, to make the experience more enjoyable for players.
