Pylon

The Pylon, manufactured by Exhibit Supply Company (ESCO) in June 1940, is a flipperless, single-player electro-mechanical (EM) game notable for its playfield animation: a spinning plane tower that activates on certain shots, an early example of dynamic visual elements in pinball design.

Gameplay on the Pylon follows the flipperless EM conventions of its era, with players relying on skillful shots and timing -- rather than flipper bats, which had not yet become standard -- to guide the ball. The machine's theme, centered around airplane racing, was likely inspired by the thrill-seeking era of aviation in the 1930s and 1940s. What sets the Pylon apart from its contemporaries is its spinning plane tower, which activates when specific playfield shots are made, adding visual excitement to the game.

The Pylon's design reflects the aesthetic of early pinball games, with bold graphics and simple, effective artwork. Little is known about the machine's designer or development process, but the Pylon remains an interesting piece of pinball history, offering a glimpse into the pioneering days of electro-mechanical gameplay and animation.