The New Deal

The New Deal, produced by Field Manufacturing Corporation in 1933, is an example of the pure mechanical (PM) payout machines common in the early years of commercial pinball. The New Deal's mechanical operation is characteristic of the Pure Mechanical (PM) era, which dominated pinball design until the introduction of electronics.

Gameplay on The New Deal features simple, yet innovative mechanics for its time. Players aim to accumulate points by rolling the ball into scoring zones, with the goal of achieving a high score before losing all their balls. The game was sold in choice of 1-cent or 5-cent models and offered two payout jackpots, split via a 4-way coin divider among the dealer, operator, and daily and weekly high-score pots -- marketed at the time as a legal game of skill rather than an illegal jackpot device.

The cabinet dimensions advertised as 37 1/2 inches long, 18 1/2 inches wide, and 37 inches high are notable for a machine from the early days of pinball. Without further information on its design, art, or theme, we can only speculate about any distinctive features that may have set it apart from other machines of its era. Despite this lack of detail, The New Deal remains an important piece of pinball history, providing insight into the game's early payout-machine business model.