Spring Ball

The Spring Ball, manufactured by J.H. Keeney and Company Incorporated in 1934, is an early example of a commercial pinball machine, listed in the Encyclopedia of Pinball Volume 1 as a pin table. This Pure Mechanical (PM) pinball predates flippers, solenoids, and other electromechanical features by more than a decade, making it a useful artifact for historians and enthusiasts studying the early development of pinball.

Gameplay on the Spring Ball is characterized by a straightforward, mechanical design that relies on gravity, spring-loaded mechanisms, and player input to propel the ball through the playing field. As a pure mechanical machine, it would not have had player-controlled flippers -- those were still years from being invented -- so scoring instead depended on ball placement among pins and targets. This simple yet challenging gameplay makes the Spring Ball an intriguing relic for those interested in the early days of pinball.

Regrettably, little information is available regarding the specific design, artwork, or theme of this vintage machine. Nevertheless, the Spring Ball remains a rare and fascinating piece that offers a glimpse into the early years of pinball's development, providing an opportunity for enthusiasts to appreciate the mechanical ingenuity that laid the groundwork for modern pinball machines.