Perky

Perky, manufactured by Williams and released on September 17, 1956, represents a specific technical milestone in the evolution of electromechanical (EM) pinball machines: it was the first EM game to use printed circuit boards, a significant innovation for an industry that had until then relied on hand-wired relay panels. Designed by Harry Williams himself, Perky's two flippers and three pop bumpers provide a dynamic gameplay experience typical of Williams' mid-1950s output.

Perky's gameplay is characterized by its generous use of gobble holes – a total of five, scattered throughout the playfield. This abundance of targets increases player interaction and engagement, as players must strategically aim for these holes to accumulate points. The addition of flippers allowed for greater control over the ball's trajectory, in keeping with the era's rapidly evolving gameplay mechanics.

Despite its relatively unknown status among enthusiasts today, Perky's significance lies chiefly in that printed-circuit milestone, a quiet but important step in the technical development of electromechanical pinball. Unfortunately, little additional information is known about this specific machine, leaving room for further research and exploration by collectors and historians.