Preview

The Preview pinball machine, manufactured by Western Equipment & Supply Company in May 1937, is a flipperless one-ball payout machine typical of the coin-operated gambling devices common before flippers were introduced. As a payout machine, it was more likely found in cigar stores, bars, and penny arcades of the era than in mainstream amusement parks.

The machine's gameplay is characterized by 22 spring bumpers, which added an element of unpredictability. The backbox features three score labels: "Odds", "Score", and "Point", and the outhole trough is labeled 'Cashier' -- terminology reflecting the machine's payout function rather than pure amusement play.

The machine's theme is centered around entertainment and movies. Unfortunately, little is known about the designer or any specific features that might have set Preview apart from its contemporaries. Nevertheless, as a late-1930s EM payout machine, it remains an interesting artifact from the formative years of the coin-op pinball industry.