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Antique Mills Slot Machines
Founded in 1891 by Mortimer Birdsul Mills, the Mills Novelty Company began in Chicago and sold his patented, coin-operated, cigar vending machines. Soon after, Mills successfully expanded his business with another innovative machine called the Owl in 1897. This coin-operated, roulette style slot machine was one of the first mechanical, upright arcade game of its kind. It was constructed as a wooden cabinet with an owl image logo that would later be adopted as the company's general trademark. The Owl's popularity skyrocketed across the US and just two years later, Mills employed 500 workers. In this time, Mills produced thirteen other coin-operated game machines, as well as various other vending machines. The slot machines were so successful, they were given their own division in the company as the "Bell-O-Matic Corporation."
German-American immigrant and car mechanic, Charles Fey had developed the first mechanical, modern slot machine back in 1895. Fey refused to share the design of his first poker machine. However, in 1907, he inexplicably collaborated with Mills. The company designed its own version of Fey's slot machine called the Mills Liberty Bell with a cast-iron casing, and three cylinder reel design with Poker symbols and Liberty Bells on them. It also featured a ringing bell to indicate a winning combination. Gaining Fey's design allowed the Mills Novelty Company to essentially dominate the slot machine industry for more than six decades.
Mills released another slot machine model in 1910 called the Operator Bell. It was a variation on the Liberty Bell with an undated gooseneck coin entry and fruit symbol reels. These alterations represented the beginning of other changes. As the cast-iron machines were extremely heavy, they were discontinued in 1915 to cut costs and replaced with wood. The bell feature was discontinued in the 1930s to create a quieter experience. The line was dubbed the "Silent Bell." However, the bell would make a return in later slot machines.
The the Mills Novelty Company significantly capitalized on the illegal game boom during the 1920s and 1930s. It sought to create a more unique game experience due to increased gambling competition. The company tried to achieve it through bright, colorful, themed, illuminated cases. The first in the series was the Lion Head in 1931, followed by the War Eagle and Roman Head. However, the double jackpot and four reel machine were more profitable features that debuted in the 1930s and 1960s respectively.
Today, the Mills Novelty Company no longer produces slot machines but it has left a wonderful legacy of antique machines. It also continues its tradition of quality and excellence in other areas of the coin machine industry.