Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune, manufactured by Western Equipment & Supply Company between 1934 and 1938, is an example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines. Its release in 1936 places it within an early generation of pinball machines, which were often simple in construction compared to later designs.

Gameplay on Wheel of Fortune is characterized by simplicity, with only one ball per play. The game came equipped with a Stancor Univerter transformer, with batteries available as an optional alternative power source. The machine was available in two configurations: a ticket model or a free games model, at extra cost, highlighting the early industry's experimentation with different payout and business models.

The game's cabinet was advertised at 50 inches long and 24 inches wide. Unfortunately, very little is known about the game's designer or artistic direction, leaving its exact significance within Western Equipment & Supply Company's product line a mystery. Nonetheless, Wheel of Fortune remains a piece of pinball history, offering a glimpse into the development of the early game and its era's business practices.