Trystan Casey
Electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines were manufactured between the 1930s and 1970s. The main era of these machines was between the end of the Second World War and the end of the 1970s. The machines are electrified, which allows for flippers, slingshots, and other features. The first digital pinball machines appeared at the end of the 1970s, and the early 1980s saw the rise of solid-state machines. So, are electro-mechanical pinball machines still being made?
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What You'll Learn
- EM pinball machines were manufactured between the 1930s and 1970s
- The main era of these machines was between the end of WWII and the end of the 1970s
- EM pinball machines were systems of wired switches, relays, lights, and coils
- Examples of games in the electro-mechanical era include Gottlieb's Humpty Dumpty and William's 1976 Space Odyssey
- The change from EM to SS machines allowed for more powerful beaters, increasing the speed of the ball
EM pinball machines were manufactured between the 1930s and 1970s
Pinball machines have evolved through several generations, from the earliest mechanical machines to the digital machines of today. Electro-Mechanical (EM) pinball machines were manufactured between the 1930s and the 1970s. The main era for these machines was between the end of the Second World War and the end of the 1970s.
EM pinball machines were systems of wired switches, relays, lights, and coils. They were electrified, which allowed for the introduction of flippers, slingshots, and other features that are now considered integral to pinball. The first flippers appeared in 1947 on the Humpty Dumpty pinball machine, which also featured six electrical flippers facing outward and buttons on the side of the machine to control them. Players could use these buttons to keep the ball in play longer and increase their scores.
EM pinball machines did not have computers and relied on electro-mechanical switch logic to keep track of gameplay and scoring. The trademark features of EMs were electrical hams, mechanical rotating score reels, and bells that chimed as points were scored. The rules for counting scores were simple, but designers could apply bonuses to certain actions or combinations of actions.
The EM era eventually evolved into the Solid State era in the late 1970s, with the advent of modern computers and circuit board technology. This transition allowed for more powerful beaters, increasing the speed of the ball and the slope of the playing field. Solid-state machines also enabled more complex rules, sound effects, and immersive themes.
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The main era of these machines was between the end of WWII and the end of the 1970s
The golden age of pinball machines, particularly electromechanical (EM) machines, was between the end of World War II and the end of the 1970s. During this era, pinball machines evolved from non-electric Bagatelle, which had no flippers, to the electrified, feature-rich machines we know today.
The introduction of electricity to pinball machines brought about significant changes and new possibilities. Flippers, now considered an integral part of pinball, were introduced for the first time in 1947 with the game Humpty Dumpty, which featured six electrical flippers facing outward. Players could use buttons on the side of the machine to control the flippers, keeping the ball in play longer and increasing their scores.
EM pinball machines also introduced other elements such as slingshots (triangle-shaped rubber bands often found above the flippers), bumpers, kick-out holes, and tilt mechanisms. The machines relied on electro-mechanical switch logic to track gameplay and scoring, and their trademark features included electrical hams, mechanical rotating score reels, and bells that chimed as points were scored.
The late 1970s marked a transition period for pinball machines, with the introduction of the first digital and solid-state machines. Solid-state machines, which used electronics, offered faster gameplay and steeper slopes compared to their EM predecessors. Despite the emergence of new technologies, EM pinball machines continued to be present in arcades and enjoyed by players well into the 1980s, as evidenced by personal anecdotes and the existence of older machines in arcades during that decade.
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EM pinball machines were systems of wired switches, relays, lights, and coils
Electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines were manufactured between the 1930s and 1970s and were systems of wired switches, relays, lights, and coils. They were electrified, which allowed for the introduction of flippers, slingshots, and other features that are now considered integral to pinball machines. The main era of these machines was between the end of World War II and the end of the 1970s.
EM pinball machines used electrical power to energize relays and control machine operation. They typically used only two voltages: 6 volts for lights and 25 volts for coils. The coils, or solenoids, are giant spools of wire that produce a magnetic field when electricity is applied. This magnetic field can impart movement on a metal plunger, which is connected to features like flippers. Lamps in these machines could be incandescent, similar to coils, but modern games have moved to LED lighting.
The trademark features of EM pinball machines included electrical background hums, mechanical rotating score reels, and bells that chimed as points were scored. They did not have computers and relied on electro-mechanical switch logic to keep track of gameplay and scoring. EM machines used switches instead of transistors to trigger actions and wired relays to form a program. They were designed to function as hard-wired "ladder" logic devices.
The transition from EM to solid-state (SS) machines allowed for more powerful beaters, increasing the speed of the ball and the slope of the playing field. Solid-state machines also enabled more complex rules, sound effects, and immersive themes.
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Examples of games in the electro-mechanical era include Gottlieb's Humpty Dumpty and William's 1976 Space Odyssey
Electro-mechanical pinball machines, also known as EM pinball machines, make up the majority of pinball machines produced to date. The main era of these machines was between the end of the Second World War and the end of the 1970s. During this time, pinball machines evolved from purely mechanical designs to include electrical components, paving the way for features that are now considered standard, such as flippers and slingshots.
Examples of games in the electro-mechanical era include Gottlieb's Humpty Dumpty and Williams' 1976 Space Odyssey. Humpty Dumpty, released in 1947, is notable for being the first pinball machine to feature flippers, designed by Harry Mabs. It was manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Co., and recent listings on the Pinside Marketplace have valued the machine at around $900 to $1000.
Williams' Space Odyssey, released in 1976, was a 4-player game with artwork inspired by Robert McCall's poster for Stanley Kubrick's film, '2001: A Space Odyssey'. The game featured a variety of targets and bumpers, including 2 pop bumpers, 2 kick-out holes, 2 ball kickers, 2 stand-up targets, 1 spinning target, and a swinging target. While popular, it is speculated that production may have been halted prematurely due to potential legal issues surrounding the use of the film's artwork.
The electro-mechanical era of pinball machines came to an end in the late 1970s with the introduction of digital pinball machines, which allowed for more complex gameplay and scoring systems. These digital machines evolved into solid-state pinball machines, which offered faster gameplay and steeper slopes, thanks to more powerful beaters. Despite the evolution of pinball technology, EM pinball machines remain popular among collectors and enthusiasts, with some seeking to restore broken machines to their former glory.
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The change from EM to SS machines allowed for more powerful beaters, increasing the speed of the ball
The evolution of pinball machines has been fascinating, with the game changing significantly over the years, especially with the advent of new technologies. One significant shift was the transition from electromechanical (EM) to solid-state (SS) machines, marking a pivotal moment in the history of pinball. This transition brought about several changes, one of which was the introduction of more powerful beaters, leading to an increase in ball speed and a steeper slope.
EM pinball machines, which use electrical components, dominated the market from the end of World War II until the 1970s. These machines introduced flippers, slingshots, and other now-iconic elements. However, the shift to SS machines, which use transistors instead of contactors, brought about a new era of pinball. The change from EM to SS machines allowed for more powerful beaters, increasing the speed of the ball and the slope of the playfield. This was a gradual transition, and the first SS pinballs didn't immediately showcase a significant difference in ball speed.
The SS machines offered several advantages over their EM predecessors. Firstly, they were faster and more responsive, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. Secondly, the SS machines had steeper slopes, with an incline of 6.5 degrees compared to 3 degrees on EM machines, adding a new dimension to the game. While some enthusiasts prefer the mechanics and art of EM machines, SS machines introduced new possibilities.
The introduction of more powerful beaters in SS machines was a significant development. These beaters increased the speed of the ball, creating a more dynamic and challenging game. This change also required designers to consider new factors, such as the need for stronger and more durable materials to withstand the increased force of the beaters. Additionally, the increased speed of the ball may have influenced the design of obstacles and targets on the playfield, creating new strategies and gameplay mechanics.
The transition from EM to SS pinball machines was a pivotal moment in the evolution of the game, and the introduction of more powerful beaters was a key aspect of this change. While EM machines have their charm and dedicated fan base, the increased speed and slope offered by SS machines opened up new possibilities for gameplay, strategy, and competition, forever changing the way pinball is played.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the manufacturing of electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines ended in the 1970s with the advent of solid-state pinball machines. The last EM pinball machine was produced in 1979.
EM pinball machines are systems of wired switches, relays, lights, and coils. They are characterised by electrical hams, mechanical rotating score reels, and bells that chime as points are scored. EM machines do not have computers and rely on electro-mechanical switch logic to keep track of gameplay and scoring.
Some popular examples of EM pinball machines include Gottlieb's "Humpty Dumpty" (1947), which introduced the flipper, Bally's "Airway Mechanical Pinball" (1933), and William's "Space Odyssey" (1976).
