Paddock

The Paddock, manufactured by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company in May 1937, is a rare and significant example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball design, with only 296 units confirmed produced. As an early horse racing-themed payout/one-ball game, Paddock offers a glimpse into the nascent days of pinball's development.

As a 1937 one-ball horserace game, Paddock predates the invention of the flipper by a decade, so gameplay would have relied on plunger skill and shot placement rather than flipper control, consistent with games of this category and era.

The Paddock's design and art reflect the utilitarian aesthetic common in early pinball machines, with bold typography and simple illustrations likely used to convey the horse racing theme. No notable trivia or distinctive features beyond its rarity have been documented for this machine, but its age and low production numbers make it an attractive addition to any serious collector's or museum's collection of vintage pinball machines.