Airway

The Bally Manufacturing Corporation's Airway, produced in February 1933, marks a genuine milestone in the evolution of the pure mechanical pinball machine. Carrying model number 1 and designed by Herbert G. Breitenstein, it holds a notable distinction: according to the January 1953 issue of Bally-Who, Bally's monthly newsletter, Airway was the first pin game with a (non-electric) score totalizer. It was a sensational success in the United States and helped popularize pin games in Europe.

Gameplay on Airway is simple yet engaging. The machine offered 1 cent or 5 cent play, with ten balls for a nickel, and featured ten snap traps to catch the ball. Its dimensions are modest compared to modern pinball machines, measuring 36 inches long, 18 inches wide, and standing 40 inches high in the back and 37 1/2 inches high in the front. An improved version with a better tilt mechanism and the game's name cast into the bottom casting was released in April 1933; the initial price of $22.50 rose to $25.50 in May of that year.

The aviation theme fit the era's fascination with flight, though little information survives about Breitenstein's design process or inspirations. Even so, Airway remains a notable piece of pinball history for its age and its pioneering score totalizer, sparking curiosity among enthusiasts who appreciate the earliest days of this beloved pastime.