Bowie

The Bowie, manufactured by Daval Manufacturing Co. of Chicago in 1936, is a piece of early electro-mechanical pinball history. By this point the pinball industry, launched with Gottlieb's Baffle Ball in 1931, was several years old and included numerous manufacturers experimenting with gameplay mechanics and design elements.

The Bowie's electro-mechanical design is notable for its simplicity and reliability, characteristics that were valuable in the early days of pinball when the technology was still developing. As with other EM machines of the mid-1930s, gameplay relied on switches, relays, and solenoids rather than flippers, which would not be introduced to pinball until 1947 — players of the era instead used plunger control and careful nudging (within tilt limits) to influence the ball's path. Specific details about the Bowie's unique gameplay elements are scarce.

Despite the lack of information on its design, art, and theme, the Bowie's presence in pinball history makes it an intriguing piece for collectors and historians. As a single-player EM machine from Daval's early years, it serves as a tangible link to the evolution of this iconic game.