Contact (Senior)

The Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company's (PAMCO) 1933 pinball machine, Contact (Senior), is a significant milestone in the evolution of electromechanical (EM) pinball. As one of the earliest examples of EM technology, it showcases Harry Williams' innovative design, which would pave the way for future advancements in the industry. The machine's patent, granted in 1937, further highlights its impact on the development of game design.

Contact (Senior)'s gameplay features a unique twist with its kick-out holes, where balls trapped by these holes remain until another ball lands in the Contact hole, triggering an automatic bell and advancing the stuck balls downfield. This feature, referred to as "automatic progressive scoring" in advertising, was a groundbreaking concept at the time. The machine's use of three dry cell batteries also demonstrates early experimentation with power sources.

Notably, the design and art on this machine are simple yet elegant, reflecting the minimalist aesthetic of its era. The absence of a specific theme is characteristic of early pinball machines, which often focused more on game mechanics than storytelling. While little additional information can be found about Contact (Senior), its historical significance and innovative gameplay features make it an intriguing piece for any pinball enthusiast to discover.