School Days

School Days, designed by Harry Mabs and manufactured by Gottlieb in 1941, marks an early milestone in the evolution of electromechanical pinball machines. This Tic-Tac-Toe themed game is a rare example of a pinball machine from this era, showcasing the transition from mechanical to electronic gameplay. With its electro-mechanical design, School Days predates the introduction of flippers and electronic sound effects that would become standard features in later pinball machines.

Gameplay on School Days involves navigating a metal ball through a simple layout with 14 passive bumpers. The objective is not dissimilar from traditional Tic-Tac-Toe, where players aim to create three-in-a-row or block their opponent's winning lines. What sets this game apart is its reliance on mechanical mechanisms and the simplicity of gameplay. This design element reflects the early experimentation in pinball machine construction during the 1940s.

The backglass art for School Days measures a compact 22 by 20 inches, which was typical for games produced during this era. Notably, there isn't much additional information available about School Days beyond its specifications and gameplay mechanics. However, as one of the earliest electromechanical pinball machines with a distinct theme, it holds significant historical value for collectors and enthusiasts interested in early pinball history.