Robin Hood

The Robin Hood pinball machine, manufactured by Daval Manufacturing Co. of Chicago in August 1938, is a notable example of early electro-mechanical (EM), flipperless pinball design built around an archery theme. It stands as an artifact from the dawn of the EM era, predating the flipper and many of the conventions that would come to define the industry.

The gameplay features a unique timer-based mechanism, an unusual design choice for its time that added an element of urgency to the game. Since the machine is flipperless, players relied on skillful plunging and table positioning rather than flipper control to influence the ball's path through the targets.

The machine's art and design are characteristic of the period, featuring a stylized illustration of Robin Hood and his trusty bow and arrow. The compact cabinet and minimal graphics reflect the simplicity and functionality prioritized during this era of pinball development. Unfortunately, there is little documented about the designer or production history of this machine, but its survival as a single-player game from 1938 makes it a notable find for collectors and historians of early pinball.