Par-Lay
About This Machine
The Par-Lay, manufactured by Western Equipment & Supply Company in 1936, is an early payout-style commercial pinball machine, dating from a period when the coin-operated pinball industry was rapidly standardizing and expanding.
Gameplay on the Par-Lay follows the basic electro-mechanical (EM) design typical of the mid-1930s. Flippers had not yet been invented at this point in pinball history, so play relied on skillful plunging, angling, and nudging rather than flipper control. While specific details about its rules are scarce, it's evident that the machine features early forms of scoring and payout gameplay mechanics common to the era.
Not much is known about the Par-Lay's design, art, or theme beyond its classification as an EM payout machine. Its rarity makes it a valuable find for collectors and historians. The scarcity of detailed data surrounding this machine underscores the importance of preserving historical records to better understand the evolution of pinball design and gameplay.