Slot machines have captured the fascination of casino-goers for over a century. While the mechanics of modern video slots bear little resemblance to the original Liberty Bell machine, many classic slot symbols and icons live on as a nod to slots’ rich history.
The images and symbols on those early mechanical slots were chosen not just for aesthetics, but also for how they resonated with the cultural zeitgeist of early 20th century America.
Fruits and Flavors That Fueled Slot Machine Popularity
Many classic slot machine symbols derive from the original Fruit Machines that proliferated across America following the legalization of slots in 1931. Their illustrations of tasty fruits, sweets and flavors played upon the public’s fascination with novelty penny candy machines.
| Symbol | Background |
| Cherries | Sweet red cherries were a popular slot theme, tied to the Flavor Fruit Gum fruit-flavored candy produced by the Mills Novelty Company. |
| Oranges | Oranges similarly derived from fruit-flavored chewing gums and candies of the early 20th century. |
| Grapes | Grapes rounded out the fruit trio alongside cherries and oranges in early slots. Their wine associations evoked images of celebration and indulgence. |
| Lemons | Beyond their sour flavor, lemon images symbolized chances for big slot machine payouts. Their rare appearances increased odds of winning a spin. |
Though fruits originally appealed as candy-colored entertainment, they took on additional meaning, representing jackpot potential for eager slot players. Their teasing images came to symbolize the tempting but often elusive chance to “hit it big” on slots. Now, you can find these symbols on many modern machines on such platforms as 1Red Casino.
Sweet Symbols of Good Fortune
Beyond fruit, classic slots incorporated icons believed to attract good luck and plentiful payouts. These symbols played upon societal aspirations for prosperity and the American dream.
- Bars – Early slot machines commonly depicted gold bullion bars, representing hopes for stacking wealth by striking jackpots.
- Vaults – Bank/money vaults similarly aligned with aspirations for accumulating riches. Their images promised security for stowing away potential winnings.
- 7s – red, white and blue “7” symbols first gained fame from the BELL FRUIT GUM slot machines. Over time, seeing any 7s triggered beliefs they brought good fortune.
- Bells – Bells represented winning rings for jackpot payouts. Their sounds generated excitement and signaled money ready for the taking.
- Diamonds – As enduring symbols of luxury and wealth, sparkling diamond images fueled fortune-seekers’ wildest dreams.
These icons visually manifested the public’s hunger to secure elusive fortunes by hitting the slots jackpot. Their presence seemed to boost the allure of slots’ life-changing potential.
Wheel of Fortune and Horseshoes for Extra Luck
Beyond wealth symbols, slot machine iconography incorporated additional elements believed to boost players’ odds and luck:
- Carnival Wheels – Stylized images of carnival/roulette wheels aligned with the capricious whims of chance and fortune. They suggested slots’ randomness could randomly grant a lucky spin.
- Horseshoes – Horseshoes have an extensive history as long-standing symbols for good fortune. Their inclusion seemed to bless slots with extra luck potential.
Though originally more rooted in superstition than science, these icons helped fuel the perception of slots as games where almost anyone could get lucky and hit an unpredictable windfall outcome.
Slots Icons Reflect Changing Times
Over 100+ years, slot machine symbols have evolved to reflect changing technologies and cultural trends:
- Mobile Phones – Modern video slots incorporate symbols like mobile phones that align with contemporary lifestyles and technology.
- Laptops – Laptops similarly modernize classic slots with symbols relevant to today’s world.
- Arcade Games – Nostalgic pixelated video game symbols attract younger demographics while paying homage to gaming history.
By blending classic icons with modern images, contemporary slot designers manage to keep vintage symbols relevant across generations of slots enthusiasts. This timeless iconography retains historical ties while advancing slots’ pop culture footprint into the 21st century and beyond.
Preserving an Iconic Pastime
From fruited gum machines to the latest video slots, slot machine symbols chronicle an iconic pastime’s evolution and lasting impact across eras. The stories behind these images reveal as much about historical aspirations, superstitions and tastes as the mechanics of slots themselves.
By interweaving modern and classic symbols, today’s slots preserve a rich heritage. At the same time, they sustain this nostalgic casino staple’s prominence for potentially another 100 years’ worth of spins.
