Man 'n the Moon

The Daval Manufacturing Co.'s 1935 "Man" pinball machine is a rare find for collectors and historians alike. Produced by Daval Manufacturing Co., a Chicago-based company active from 1934 to 1939, this machine offers a fascinating glimpse into the early days of pinball.

One of the standout features of "Man" is its gameplay mechanics. For just five cents, players get ten balls in play. The machine's 18 trap holes and four ball kickers add to the action, while three free play holes offer a bonus opportunity. Balls landing in the Moonshine hole illuminate the backboard, creating a striking visual effect.

According to a 1982 account, the game was designed by Al S. Douglis and Dave Helfenbein, who reportedly believed players wanted to enjoy pinball for its own sake rather than for automatic payouts common among competing machines of the day; the same account notes that "Man" struggled commercially against those payout games and "never even got off the ground." "Man" remains an intriguing relic of pinball's formative years and the industry's early tension between pure amusement and gambling-oriented design.