C.O.C.A. Times

Dr. Herb is looking
for slot n1achines
by Rachel Azark
By the numbers
the year Charles Fey,
a pioneer slot machine
manufacturer, completed
the Liberty Bell, the first
slot machine.
Liberty Bell machines
are still in existence.
years or older is how old a
slot machine has to be to
be legal in Illinois
,Qns
slot machines in Nevada in
1999; this is one for
every 1 0 residents
the weight in pounds of
Dr. Weinfield's favorit e
slot machine, The Q.T.
A
s a boy, Herb \, einfield begged his mother for pennies and nickels so he could go
to town and play the slot machines. Slot machines at the time were in general
stores, restaurants and bars. It was 40 years ago, though. that Dr. Weinfield , a L948
graduate f the lo}•ola Universit School of Dentistry, had his first opponunity to
actually own one.
The oppommit arrived one day, hen Dr. Weinfield had an air conditioner repamnan over
to do some work on his home. The repainnan took one look at the finished basement and said ,
"What thi basement needs is a slot machine.• Dr. Weinfield asked where he could find one,
and the repairman sold Dr. Weinfield his own .
Today, Dr. einfield is a proud owner of 22 different slot machines. He finds his machines
through collectors groups. dealers, collectors shows, and by word or mouth. While Dr. Wein-
field finds joy in admiring his collection and playing them , he said , "to me, the most Cun is
chasing chem down."
After work one Saturday, he drove 300 miles with his wife to northern Wisconsin 10 pur-
chase a slot machine. The next day, having purchased the machine , he drove home ,vi1h a
smile fro m ear to ear.
ou go nutty, colleclOrs are nutty. But it' fun! " said Dr. Weinfield.
When he had his practice, Dr. \i einfield loved to share his passion \vith his patients. He
had four, fully restored, original machines displayed in his office that he would let patients and
their children play \vith. Dr. Weinfield felt that by having pan of his collection there , wit
humanized the dental office" be ause it showed that the demist wa interested in _omething
more than just dentistry.
Each machine had a bowl of coins next co n so people could play the slot. And next to each
machine was also a sign that read, "Dr. Herb is always looking for slot machines. Do you kno
wher he can find one?"
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