The Pilot

The Pilot, manufactured by National Pin Games Manufacturing Company in 1932, marks a significant milestone in the evolution of pinball. As one of the earliest known pinball machines, it predates the first electromechanical (EM) games and showcases the transitional period between pure mechanical (PM) pinballs and their more sophisticated successors. The Pilot's existence demonstrates that pinball enthusiasts have been enthralled by the game for nearly a century.

A highlight of The Pilot is its innovative gameplay feature: a rotating ramp, or "Propeller," allows players to capture a ball in an elevated playfield and deliver it to one of five high-scoring holes. This clever mechanism required significant mechanical ingenuity and was likely a major selling point when the game debuted. With 7 balls for 1 cent or 10 balls for 5 cents, The Pilot's pricing strategy catered to working-class players seeking affordable entertainment.

The Pilot's design and artwork are notable for their aviation theme, featuring an airplane-inspired playfield with stylized depictions of planes and airports. While little is known about the designer, it's clear that they aimed to create a visually appealing machine that would captivate audiences. Unfortunately, no additional information on The Pilot has been uncovered through web research, leaving enthusiasts to appreciate this relic of pinball history in its raw, unadorned form.