This video shows 100 years of the history of coin payout antique slot machines, followed by an interview with one of the few remaining people who maintain and service them; Squires and Corry in San Mateo, CA.
Fun fact: The "Bell's Fruit Gum" symbol is the origin of the "BAR" symbols that came on slot machines much, much later down the line. A bar of gum, basically.
That would require people to actually fix things instead of replacing a computer board. I totally agree that these mechanical machines are really fun to play.
I've read many books on the history of San Francisco, and not so much as even one ever made reference to San Francisco as being "the hub of slot machine manufacturing." In fact, there was no reference to slot machines at all in the history books about San Francisco for high school and college use. It's a shame the historians were remiss about this either by accident or by design. ( ͠° ͟ʖ ͡° )
I would venture a guess that it is by design. After all Slot Machines can represent a dark side of things. I like them because of the beauty of the design. Some of the trade stimulators that play poker are ingenious!
@@warrenhaack Hi Warren - That may be true, but so was the decadent "Barbary Coast" of San Francisco (the darker side of the city by the bay) of which much was written. In fact, I recently finished reading a book titled "Barbary Coast" by Herbert Asbury. Come to think of it, there was no mention of slot machines even in that book. My research of slot machines in San Francisco comes from Marshall Fey's book "Slot Machines America's Favorite Gaming Device." I was fortunate enough to converse with Marshall Fey via telephone (the grandson of Charles Fey) many years ago. BTW: Antique mechanical slot machines are a hobby of mine. My favorites are the ornate single color wheel payout mechanical slot machines of the late 19th and early 20th century. :)
@@christophertsiliacos8958 Hi Chris, I'm not sure where you live, but the private museum of Joe Welch in San Bruno CA has the most extensive collection of slots and trade stimulators I've ever seen. 383 San Bruno Ave., West - 650-589-1262. It is above his real estate office. Joe died in 2011, and I haven't visited it in a few years. I'd call first. I've taken a liking to old trade stimulators more recently.
@@warrenhaack Thanks Warren! I'm here in Southern California, but I'm originally from the bay area with relatives still living there, whom I visit at least once a year. Next time I'm up north, I'll check out Joe's private museum. Naturally, I'll call first. BTW: I like the old mechanical trade stimulators too, especially the ones that payout in tokens/coins. Stay safe and stay well. :)
