Majors
About This Machine
The 1939 Majors pinball machine is a rare and significant example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball technology. Manufactured by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company, one of the pioneers of the industry, this game predates many of the innovations that would come to define the modern pinball experience. Its age and rarity make it highly prized among collectors and historians.
Gameplay on Majors is characterized by 13 spring bumpers, which provide a tactile and dynamic challenge for players. The backglass features an animated light show, depicting men running bases in a baseball game. As players hit different bumpers, the corresponding player lights up and appears to round the bases. When a player hits home plate, the four red bumpers at the lower end of the playfield illuminate, awarding 1,000 points each for every successful hit.
The Majors' design and theme are quintessentially of their time, capturing the spirit of sports-themed pinball from an era when such games were just beginning to gain popularity. While not much is known about its designer or any notable production runs, this machine remains a fascinating artifact of early pinball's development, offering insights into the evolution of gameplay and design that would shape the industry for decades to come.
Images (11)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Sports - Baseball
- Model Number:
- 61
- Notable Features:
- Spring bumpers (13). Backglass light animation (men run bases). As bumpers are hit, players are lit up and shown rounding the bases. Once the player touches home, the four red bumpers at the lower end of the playfield light up and award 1,000 points for each hit. The red bumpers at the top of the playfield, the green and yellow bumpers in the middle of the playfield, and the orange domes at the bottom of the playfield all light up at different times during play.