Strand

The Strand pinball machine, produced by Daval Manufacturing Co. in 1937, is a fascinating example of early electromechanical (EM), flipperless pinball design. Its mechanisms showcase the inventive engineering common in pinball's infancy, well before the flipper era began.

Strand offers a distinctive playing experience thanks to a unique mechanism that flicks the ball from the center of the lower playfield out to the lanes on either side, creating unpredictable gameplay. It also has an automatic ball-shooting mechanism that fires balls from the bottom of the playfield into a free-ball return hole, and two kick-out holes -- an advanced feature for a game of this age.

The Strand's design and art are characteristic of its time, with a theme built around foreign scenes, happiness, and horses. While little is known about the machine's designer or the story behind its creation, its rarity and innovative mechanical features make it an intriguing piece of early pinball history.