Whoopee Game

The Whoopee Game, manufactured by In and Outdoor Games Company of Chicago starting in March 1931, is one of the earliest known examples of a mechanical pinball game. As such, it holds significant importance in the history of the pinball industry, coming from one of the earliest years in which such games were commercially advertised.

Gameplay on the Whoopee Game involves propelling up to 10 steel balls onto a playfield for just five cents. The cabinet's mahogany finish and removable legs suggest it was designed for portability. Players manually transferred each ball from a trough to a feeder hole, and a rear feeder hole released a ball into play above a pocket of five pins that were lowered via a knob to send the ball into the playfield - a simple but clever mechanism characteristic of early mechanical pinball games.

While the Whoopee Game lacks a specific theme or artwork, its age and rarity make it an intriguing piece for collectors and historians. Little is known about this machine beyond its production by In and Outdoor Games Company in 1931-1932, and even its true manufacturer has been debated (some period sources credit the Midway Pattern Company). Despite its obscurity, the Whoopee Game remains a vital part of pinball's early history, providing insight into the development of gameplay mechanics and design principles that would shape the industry in years to come.