Speed Way

Speed Way, manufactured by Williams Manufacturing Company in September 1948 and designed by company founder Harry Williams with art by George Molentin, is an early example of Williams' pinball output; the company had only been producing games since 1944. Its auto racing theme and model number 21 place it among Williams' earlier pinball titles.

Speed Way's gameplay centers on two flippers - relatively new to pinball at the time, having been introduced industry-wide just the year before, in 1947 - along with five passive bumpers and three kick-out holes. A distinctive mechanical touch has the ball enter play by being shot from the plunger with enough velocity to loop completely around the playfield's perimeter.

The design and art reflect the auto racing theme, though detailed records of the specific artwork are limited. As one of the earlier titles bearing the Williams name, Speed Way offers an interesting look at the company's pinball output in the years just after the flipper's introduction reshaped the game.