Jig Saw

The Jig Saw is an electro-mechanical pinball machine from 1957, crafted by the Williams Manufacturing Company and designed by Harry Williams with artwork by George Molentin. Arriving late in the classic single-player EM era, Jig Saw reflects the mature, feature-rich style Williams had refined over more than a decade of pinball production.

Gameplay on the Jig Saw is engaging, with two flippers that allow players to navigate a challenging playfield featuring three pop bumpers, four passive bumpers, and two slingshots. The machine's design cleverly incorporates kick-out holes and a gobble hole, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the game. One of the standout features is its backglass light animation, which displays a jig saw puzzle composed of numbered spots on the playfield. As players accumulate points (with a maximum displayed score of 8,990,000), their progress is reflected in the completion of this virtual puzzle.

The Jig Saw's design and art are notable for their simplicity and elegance, reflecting the aesthetic of late-1950s EM machines. Little is known about any unique production details of this machine beyond its technical specifications. Nonetheless, the Jig Saw remains an important piece in the history of pinball, offering enthusiasts a glimpse into the late-1950s electro-mechanical era that preceded the solid-state machines of later decades.