President Junior

President Junior, manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Company in February 1934, is an early Pure Mechanical (PM) pinball machine, predating the electrically powered games that would follow. It showcases the evolution of the game from its origins as a simple bagatelle-style amusement toward the more complex electromechanical designs that emerged later in the 1930s.

As a Pure Mechanical game, President Junior had no flippers, solenoids, or electric scoring -- players simply plunged balls onto a pin-studded playfield and scored based on where the balls landed, relying entirely on mechanical components rather than electricity. This simplicity was the norm before the introduction of electric motors and lighting to pinball design.

While specific design, art, or thematic elements are not well-documented, President Junior's early manufacture date makes it a significant artifact for enthusiasts and collectors of pre-electric pinball. Little is known about the machine's designer or notable features, but its historical position near the start of Gottlieb's long manufacturing run ensures its place in the narrative of pinball's development.