Two Fifty

The Two Fifty, manufactured by Pacific Amusement Manufacturing Company in 1935, is an example of early electro-mechanical (EM) pinball machines from the mid-1930s, a period that saw a shift away from purely mechanical designs toward machines using electromechanical components and scoring.

In terms of gameplay, little is known about the Two Fifty's specific features, but it's likely to share similarities with other early EM games of the period. Players would have launched the ball with a spring-loaded plunger, navigating it through a series of obstacles and simple scoring mechanisms typical of the era (flippers would not appear in pinball until 1947). Its age makes it a valuable piece of gaming history, though survival numbers for machines this old are generally not well documented.

The Two Fifty's design and art are undoubtedly influenced by the Art Deco style popular during the 1930s, with clean lines and geometric shapes likely present. Unfortunately, no information is available about its original theme or artistic intent, leaving much to speculation. What's known is that this machine represents part of the broader electromechanical innovation of the mid-1930s that would shape the industry for decades to come.