Score Champ

The J. H. Keeney and Company Incorporated's Score Champ, manufactured in 1940, is a significant addition to the early electro-mechanical pinball era. As one of the many machines produced during this period, it showcases the evolution of the game from its humble beginnings as a carnival attraction to a more refined, coin-operated experience.

The gameplay on Score Champ features a standard set of 13 passive bumpers, which provide the primary means of scoring points. What sets it apart is the unique feature where the 'Reserve' score displayed on the backglass carries over from game to game, providing an additional challenge and goal for players to aim for beyond their individual scores.

The Score Champ's design, art, and theme are typical of its time, with a straightforward layout and minimal decoration. The lack of specific information about its designer or theme likely reflects the common practice of that era where machines were often mass-produced without significant attention paid to unique or elaborate designs.