Bump-T-Ball

The Bump-T-Ball, manufactured by Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company (PAMCO) in January 1932, was the first game released by this manufacturer. It's a pure mechanical, single-player machine that offers a glimpse into the earliest days of pinball design.

Gameplay on the Bump-T-Ball is defined by several distinctive features. Players get 10 balls per session, launched with an adjustable plunger. A second knob on the front of the cabinet lets the player move a "T" in the upper playfield to manipulate the ball in play. The machine measures 41 inches long by 24 inches wide and uses metallic balls, both notable specifications for its era.

The Bump-T-Ball's design and artwork are relatively understated compared to later pinball machines, but its mechanical complexity as an early PAMCO product is notable. Little additional information is known about the machine's designer or theme, leaving some questions about its origins. Still, as PAMCO's debut title, the Bump-T-Ball remains an interesting piece of early pinball history.