Universe

The Universe pinball machine, manufactured by Universal Novelty Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois in 1932 and 1933, is a rare and significant artifact in the early history of pinball. It dates from the game's formative years, a period when manufacturers were rapidly experimenting with new designs, mechanics, and features. Notably, the manufacturer advertised the game as "Universe" while the playfield itself carried only the name "Universal." According to Eddie Ginsberg, co-owner of Universal Novelty, Bally president Ray Maloney called him to demand he cease manufacturing the game, alleging it copied Bally's 1933 'Airway'; Ginsberg agreed, saying the game wasn't selling well anyway.

Play on the Universe is simple yet intriguing. Players can choose to play for 1 cent or 5 cents, with a generous allocation of 10 balls for the latter. A notable feature of this machine are the snap traps, four in total, which capture and hold errant balls, adding an element of strategy to gameplay. Measuring just 35 inches long by 16 1/2 inches wide, the Universe is a compact yet engaging challenge for early pinball enthusiasts.

Unfortunately, little information is available regarding the design, art, or theme of this machine. The lack of documentation and artwork makes it difficult to discern the creative vision behind the Universe's mechanics. However, its very existence, and its brush with a legal dispute with Bally, underscores the pioneering (and occasionally contentious) spirit of early pinball manufacturers who pushed the boundaries of what was possible with coin-operated games.