Torchy
About This Machine
Torchy, produced by Williams Manufacturing Company in June 1947, is a flipperless, single-player electro-mechanical machine with a music-themed playfield, originally designed under the working title 'Nora.' Six flipper-shaped stationary bumpers on the playfield hint at the flipper era that was just about to begin in pinball design.
Gameplay on Torchy is defined by two electromagnets positioned beneath the playfield that stay energized throughout play. Each sits under a button worth 10,000 points; rolling over the button temporarily collapses the magnetic field, flinging the ball in an unpredictable direction. Nine passive bumpers and five kick-out holes round out the scoring layout.
Torchy's design and art contribute to its nostalgic appeal, with a playfield celebrating music, singing, and women, styles typical of Williams' output during this period. While little is documented about the game's specific designer, Torchy remains a notable example of the ingenuity manufacturers were bringing to electro-mechanical pinball just before flippers changed the game forever.
Images (8)
Technical Details
- Theme:
- Music - Singing - Girls - Women
- Model Number:
- 8
- Notable Features:
- Passive bumpers (9), Kick-out holes (5). This game has two electromagnets underneath the playfield, always energized during play. Each one has a button worth 10,000 points centered directly above it. A ball traveling in either area is influenced by the magnetic field. If the ball rolls over the button, the magnetic field temporarily collapses, quickly flinging the ball in an unpredictable direction.