Big Six

Big Six, manufactured by J. H. Keeney and Company of Chicago in October 1939, is an early flipperless electro-mechanical pinball machine. Keeney was an active manufacturer in the pre-war coin-op era, and Big Six offers a glimpse into pinball's evolution before the flipper transformed the game in 1947.

As a flipperless game, Big Six relies on the player's skill at launching the ball, which then makes its way down the playfield through the scoring obstacles in its path. Its gameplay is straightforward by modern standards, yet that simplicity carries a certain charm for enthusiasts of pre-flipper pinball.

Little detailed information survives about Big Six's design and artwork. J. H. Keeney and Company remained active until 1964, producing many coin-operated machines throughout its tenure, and Big Six stands as a relic from the early days of pinball's growth into a beloved entertainment medium.