Zenith

The 1936 Zenith pinball machine from Daval Manufacturing Co. is a rare and enigmatic example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball, released in February 1936 as a single-player game. During this period, manufacturers were experimenting with new mechanisms and innovations that would eventually shape the modern pinball experience.

As a pre-flipper machine (flippers were not introduced until 1947), Zenith's gameplay would have relied on skillful plunging, targets, and tilt management rather than flipper control, in keeping with the mechanical era it belongs to. The exact rules and scoring system are unknown due to a lack of surviving documentation, adding an air of mystery to the machine.

A notable aspect of the Zenith's design is its likely Art Deco-inspired aesthetic, characteristic of many pinball machines from this era, with bold geometric patterns and ornate details typical of 1930s design. While little is known about the machine's specific theme or designer, its significance as a relic of early pinball innovation makes it an important piece in any collection.