Slot Machine

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

a mechanism which acts automatically, or on pressing a lever, on the insertion of a coin in a slot. Slot machines are attached to public telephones. On the insertion of a coin in the slot the operator is notified by the ringing of a bell that the message has been paid for. In many cities gas is paid for by the insertion of a coin in a slot. When the gas paid for has been consumed it is automatically cut off and another coin must be inserted. Matches, candies, chewing gum, peanuts, and other small articles can be obtained in public places by inserting a nickel or a penny in the slot machines containing them and pressing a lever. Tunes are played by slot machines. One can be weighed on a scale upon dropping a nickel in the slot. These slot machines are labor savers, accommodate the public, and are useful. Gambling devices worked in the same way have, however, given the slot machine a bad name. Some of these are constructed on much the same principle as a roulette wheel, the insertion of the coin enabling the patron to set the ball in motion. In other, if the coin inserted in the slot drops in just the right place, a compartment is opened from which the fortunate gambler can take his winnings. A common form of slot machine is that carrying three cylinders, each in five sections, and each section bearing the faces of playing cards. A nickel having been dropped in the slot corresponding to the cylinder one wants to play, on pressing a lever a spring is released which sets the cylinders whirling, each section moving independently, to display when coming to rest a hand at poker. These slot machines were at one time in common use in cigar stores, the winnings ranging from one cigar for a pair of jacks to a hundred for a royal flush. Generally, however, purely gambling slot machines are put out of commission by the police in well-governed cities.